Odisha All Set For Floating Solar Power Projects By March 2022

Photo courtesy: The Financial Express

Bhubaneswar: Odisha will be able to achieve the target of setting up 2200 MW solar and 550 MW non-solar renewable projects by 2022 with the first phase of the much-awaited ‘floating solar power projects’ in the state likely to be commissioned by March 2022.

The power projects will be taken up as part of a joint venture under Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) Scheme of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), reported The New Indian Express (TNIE).

The total investment in the projects is estimated at Rs 2500 crore. “The incubation period for conceiving each project would be around eight months including DPR preparation and award of work through EPC bidding with e-reverse auction process. Each of the projects would be completed within one and a half years,” an Energy Department official was quoted as saying in TNIE.

The present renewable energy installed capacity in the state is 362 MW solar and 77 MW non-solar. Gridco is further procuring 75 MW solar and 150 MW wind power from outside, the report added.

The state requires another 2000 MW solar capacity, including 1000 MW towards solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and 1000 MW for non-solar RPO converted to solar, by end of this year to meet the RPO trajectory set by the MNRE, said the TNIE report.

Why is the floating solar project beneficial for Odisha?

Because the availability of large and contiguous patches of non-forest, non-agricultural, barren lands suitable for land-based solar projects is limited.
It makes possible the conservation of land and the related cost to acquire and maintain the site is also relatively low.
There is a decrease in temperature-related losses due to the cooling effect and reduction of water evaporation.

“Installation of floating solar power plants over natural water resources will also reduce the evaporation loss thereby avoiding the loss of water. It will be helpful in providing food and energy security to the state,” TNIE quoted the official as saying.

Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd (GEDCOL), a state PSU has entered into a collaboration with NHPC Limited to explore, plan and develop techno-commercially feasible floating solar power projects with an installed capacity of 500 MW in a phased manner in various reservoirs in the state, said the report.

Energy Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra was present during the signing of the agreement via video conferencing on Monday.