EESL Launches Nationwide Rollout of Solar-Powered Micro Cold Storage Units
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has initiated a groundbreaking project to deploy Solar Powered Micro Cold Storage (SPMCS) units across India, starting with Himachal Pradesh. The first pilot unit was inaugurated by Revenue Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Singh Negi, in the presence of EESL’s Chief General Manager, Anil Choudhary.
Project Details
The SPMCS units are designed to preserve perishable produce, reduce wastage, and prevent distress sales, thereby enhancing rural incomes and food security. Developed with funding support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project incorporates guidance from the National Centre for Cold-chain Development (NCCD) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Impact on Farmers
India faces an estimated post-harvest loss of Rs 7,000 crore annually (excluding potatoes and onions). The SPMCS units will help minimize these losses, increase rural incomes, and improve food security. By providing farmers with access to clean and reliable cold storage, the project contributes to building climate-resilient food systems.
Nationwide Deployment
Following the success of the pilot unit in Himachal Pradesh, EESL is replicating the model across Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. This sets the stage for a pan-India model of sustainable, farm-level cold storage infrastructure.
Vishal Kapoor, CEO, EESL, said, “India’s agricultural future hinges on smarter, sustainable systems. Our Solar Powered Micro Cold Storages represent a new class of infrastructure: decentralised, off-grid, and designed with the farmer at the center.” Anil Choudhary, Chief General Manager, EESL, added, “This initiative reflects our commitment to creating grassroots-level impact. By combining renewable energy with cold storage technology, we are delivering a solution that is as sustainable as it is scalable.”
