Volks Energie Completes Ni-Cd Battery Bank Projects for PGCIL in Kargil, Leh

Energy solutions and execution-focused infrastructure provider Volks Energie has completed a high-altitude, multi-location project for Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) at sites in Kargil and Leh. Executed under extreme climatic and terrain conditions, the project commenced on March 20, 2025, and was completed on January 30, 2026.

In a press release, Volks Energie said the scope of work included dismantling existing VRLA battery banks and the erection, testing, and commissioning of newly supplied Ni-Cd battery banks across PGCIL installations. Despite snow-covered sites, logistical challenges, and harsh weather conditions, the company deployed two specialised teams comprising five personnel each, ensuring adherence to safety standards, quality benchmarks, and project timelines.

Speaking on the Execution, Piyush Goyal, Co-Founder and CEO of Volks Energie, said: “Executing projects in regions like Kargil and Leh requires a high degree of operational preparedness, workforce resilience, and planning precision. This successful completion reinforces our confidence in handling mission-critical infrastructure work across the extreme ends of India, regardless of geography or climate.” 

PGCIL to replace VRLA batteries with Ni-Cd batteries

PGCIL decided to replace VRLA batteries with Ni-Cd batteries to ensure greater reliability and longer operational life in harsh environments. Ni-Cd batteries were selected for the project as they can last over 15 years and mitigate the risk of sudden failures commonly associated with VRLA batteries.

The Kargil project follows another assignment executed by Volks Energie in Jammu and Kashmir, where the company handed over an HVAC project for J&K PDD after completing five years of operations and maintenance (O&M). Volks Energie has extensive experience in developing national power infrastructure projects, particularly in environments where reliability and resilience are critical.

Previous Projects

Recently, the company has successfully installed and commissioned battery bank systems at multiple PGCIL locations, including Dehradun, Kochi, Pavagada, Trichy, and Kancheepuram. In total, 15 battery banks have been installed and commissioned across completed projects to date, with several more planned for the coming months.

In addition, Volks Energie is currently executing battery bank projects for PGCIL at Aligarh, Mainpuri, Varanasi, Ballia, Nellore, Munirabad, Kadappa, Panipat, Wagoora, and Gaya.

The company used batteries manufactured by SAFT India. Execution was carried out at Kargil (Ladakh) and Khaltsee in Leh, where on-ground temperatures in Kargil dropped to as low as -9°C during peak winter conditions. Additionally, another project was executed at Yamunanagar in Haryana.