Energy solutions and execution-focused infrastructure provider Volks Energie has successfully completed a challenging, high-altitude, multi-location battery infrastructure project for Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) at sites in Kargil and Leh. The project began on March 20, 2025, and was completed on January 30, 2026, despite severe climatic and logistical constraints.
The scope of work involved the dismantling of existing VRLA battery banks and the erection, testing, and commissioning of the new nickel-cadmium (NI-Cd) battery banks at PGCIL installations throughout the territory, which also involved executing the work in snow environments and harsh winter conditions, where the ground temperature in Kargil was reported to have gone down to as low as -9 degrees Celsius during peak winter.
Specialized execution in extreme environments
In order to ensure the completion of the project within specific time constraints while also emphasizing the importance of safety considerations, the firm formed two groups, each consisting of five personnel who worked diligently to ensure the implementation of the project under specific safety parameters while also emphasizing quality considerations.
Commenting on the achievement, 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’s shift from VRLA to Ni-Cd batteries
To improve the reliability of the power system, as well as the life of the batteries in severe environments, PGCIL decided to replace VRLA with Ni-Cd batteries. The motive for using Ni-Cd was that it has an operational life of over 15 years. Additionally, there is no risk of sudden failure, as experienced with VRLA.
Strong track record in critical power infrastructure
The Kargil and Leh execution is of another major assignment done by the company in Jammu and Kashmir, where Volks Energie completed an HVAC project for J&K PDD after five years of operation and maintenance. It has now developed significant business in power infrastructure projects, where reliability plays an important role.
Recent and ongoing projects
Key highlights:
- Battery bank systems installed and commissioned at Dehradun, Kochi, Pavagada, Trichy, and Kancheepuram
- 15 battery banks installed and commissioned across completed projects so far
- Ongoing projects at Aligarh, Mainpuri, Varanasi, Ballia, Nellore, Munirabad, Kadappa, Panipat, Wagoora, and Gaya
- Batteries supplied by SAFT India
- Additional execution completed at Yamunanagar, Haryana
With multiple projects underway, Volks Energie continues to strengthen India’s power grid infrastructure, particularly in regions where operational reliability under extreme conditions is essential.
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