Solar Power Looks To Expand At India's Remote Ladakh Region

LADAKH, INDIA - JUNE 13: Mountains are seen on June 13, 2017 in Ladakh, India. The cold desert of Ladakh has been known as the roof of the world and reportedly a region with huge potential in tapping the solar energy with its vast patches of barren land surrounded by mountains. As U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said two days later that India was "part of the world's shared heritage" and that the country would "continue working... above and beyond the Paris accord". At the Leh district, located at the altitude of 11,562 feet, the Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency is currently working on renewable energy, including solar, projects throughout Ladakh despite challenges at the mountainous terrain and sees the opportunity to earn revenue by exporting electricity to demand centers in North India while its residence simply hope to attain energy independence. Based on reports, China and India will be the biggest recipients for renewables energy with the highest power-generating capacity by 2040. India had planned to build the world's largest solar power project in Ladakh back in 2014 but the project was later announced this year to be placed it on hold due to the huge costs on the transmission system while the country continues by focusing on smaller projects instead. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)