College Military Engineering Pune becomes first carbon-negative garrison In India
By: Pune Pulse
August 25, 2023
Pune: The College of Military Engineering Pune has become the first carbon-negative garrison in the entire country.
As per information, the College of Military Engineering, Pune, being an institute of national importance is instrumental in various aspects of technological advancements. Various projects have been undertaken at CME, Pune by Military Engineering Services through the office of GE(CME) Khadki in order to reduce CME’s carbon footprint and be at the forefront whilst battling combat climate change and global warming. The biggest of the projects is the implementation of a 7 MW Solar Power Plant in CME, Pune in two phases, apart from multiple important pilot projects such as solar steam cooking plants for community cooking for troops at CME, installation of retrofitting emission control devices (RECDs) on DG sets to curb emissions etc.
The first phase of the 7 MW Solar Power Plant was undertaken with the commissioning of a 2MW solar power plant in 2021 fulfilling the daytime energy requirements of the College of Military Engineering, Pune. The commissioning of the 5MW Solar Power Plant in the second phase is extremely crucial in achieving the objective of the ‘National Solar Mission’ under the Government of India. The success of the project has paved the way for other formations and tri-services establishments to become carbon-negative in the future. Apart from annual fiscal savings of Rs 6.5 crores to the national exchequer, the 5 MW Power plant connected to the Maharashtra State Electricity Grid makes it possible for the power generated at CME, Pune to be consumed at National Defense Academy Khadakwasla; Command Hospital Pune; Military Hospital Khadki and Bombay Engineer Group & Center, Khadki spread across the city of Pune, thus further ensuring achieving of “National Clean Air Programme” by reducing dependency on conventional thermal power plants. With the commissioning of a 5 MW Solar Power Plant, the College of Military Engineering has become a completely carbon-negative garrison
It is worthy to note that India embarked upon an ambitious target to achieve ‘Net Zero Emission’ by 2070 in Glasgow COP26. With the Govt of India’s initiative for sustainable development goals, India’s power generation mix is expeditiously moving toward renewable energy based on time. 40% of total installed electricity capacity is from non-fossil fuel sources, Solar being the largest among all. The Ministry of Defense too zealously initiated multiple projects across the Indian Armed Forces to transform Defense forces to take strides towards energy producers and self-reliant force.
