Making a significant step towards sustainable energy adoption, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth to establish a 2-Megawatt solar power plant on the campus. The initiative is a major step towards carbon dioxide emission reduction in the Northeast region.
In the presence of Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, the MoU was signed on 9th February 2026 by Prof. Anjan Dutta, Dean, Infrastructure Planning & Management, IIT Guwahati, and Mr. Pgo Pumgouthang, Zonal Head, ICICI Foundation. It aims to expand IIT Guwahati’s renewable energy infrastructure and support its commitment to sustainability. The project will contribute to cleaner energy generation while reducing dependency on grid electricity.
Other dignitaries present during the MoU signing event include Prof. Sukumar Nandi, Dean, Administration; Mr. K.K. Tewari, Registrar; and Prof. Sisir Kumar Nayak, Associate Dean 1, IPM; Prof. Akhilesh Kumar Maurya, Associate Dean 2, IPM; Prof. Prakash Kotecha, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering; Dr. R. Anandalakshmi, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering; and Engineers from IIT Guwahati, along with Mr. Pankaj Ojha, Regional Head - Institutional Banking; Mr. Manoj Sen Deka, Regional Head – Retail; and Mr. Sanjib Choudhury, Chief Manager, from ICICI Bank; Mr. Naoroibam Rishikanta Singh, Lead Development Officer, ICICI Foundation; and Ms. Monika Thapa, Development Officer, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth, among others.
The proposed solar setup is expected to generate approximately 2.8 million kWh of clean energy annually and will supply power to campus infrastructure including hostels, laboratories, and academic departments.
Speaking during the MoU signing event, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “IIT Guwahati’s collaboration with ICICI Foundation is a major step towards strengthening our commitment to sustainable and renewable energy. Through this partnership, we will ensure a greener campus while setting an example for the region to adopt clean energy.”
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, ICICI Foundation will support the project through a donation of Rs. 6.26 crore. This funding will be utilised for execution of the solar infrastructure through project partners. IIT Guwahati will be responsible for implementation, operations, and long-term maintenance of the facility.
Speaking about collaboration with IIT Guwahati, Mr. Pgo Pumgouthang, Zonal Head, ICICI Foundation, said, “It is a privilege to collaborate with a credible institution like IIT Guwahati in promoting clean and green energy on campus. We are confident that this initiative will create a lasting environmental impact, benefitting the communities inside and outside the campus. We thank IIT Guwahati for their support and cooperation and look forward to building a strong and meaningful partnership.”
Speaking about the progress of the project, Prof. Sisir Kumar Nayak, Associate Dean, IPM, IIT Guwahati, said, “With strong support from our engineering teams and implementation partners, the project has moved steadily from planning to execution. The foundations are ready, material is arriving, and installation is progressing well. We are confident that the project will be completed on schedule. We sincerely appreciate the proactive support and swift coordination from ICICI Foundation, and this collaboration has truly helped us accelerate IIT Guwahati’s transition toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient campus.”
In addition to direct clean energy generation and carbon dioxide emission reduction, the project will also provide academic and research opportunities to researchers and students by providing real-time data access. The initiative is envisioned to serve as a model for low-carbon campus development in Northeast India.