NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC, has made a bold move to bring renewable energy to one of India’s most remote corners. The company has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for developing a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on Great Nicobar Island - an initiative blending innovation, sustainability, and energy resiliency.
The proposed plant includes up to 5 MW of solar PV integrated with a 4 MW / 12 MWh battery system. The hybrid configuration aims to provide a steady power supply that eliminates the need for diesel generators, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The project scope covers engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and transmission infrastructure development.
The EoI was released in March 2025 with a response deadline of April 18, 2025, and technical bids opening on April 21. The project is expected to be completed within six months of the award. For further details, see this publication by Mercom India.
This project aligns with the Ministry of Power’s broader development framework for Great Nicobar Island, aimed at making the region self-reliant through clean energy and infrastructure expansion. Part of NTPC Green Energy’s ambitious targets - 15 GW by FY25 and 44 GW by FY32 - the project marks another step in transforming India’s renewable landscape.
Environmental & Social Sensitivities
Great Nicobar is an ecologically sensitive area and home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), including the Shompen tribe. Anthropological studies and local gram panchayats have underscored the need for careful planning to mitigate habitat disruption, ensure community rights, and preserve biodiversity.
Why It Matters
More than a clean energy project, this is a model of sustainable development under challenging circumstances. If executed responsibly, it can serve as a blueprint for renewable integration on other remote islands like Lakshadweep, balancing energy access and community integrity.
By deploying green technology in a remote region, NTPC Green Energy is demonstrating that India’s clean energy transition can and should include its least accessible areas. Read more about the broader context via the Great Nicobar Island Development Project.
