Bhubaneswar: In a significant step to expand its renewable energy capacity, the Odisha government is advancing plans to deploy floating solar photovoltaic (PV) projects on the surfaces of state reservoirs, aiming to generate clean power while optimising water resources.
A joint field inspection by a multi-disciplinary team is set to begin on July 17 to evaluate the technical and financial viability of these initiatives across six shortlisted reservoirs. The findings from these site visits will inform the State Reservoir Committee’s final decision on implementation, with an initial focus on selecting two priority sites for detailed development.
The six reservoirs under assessment are Harabhangi in Gajapati district, Sorada in Ganjam, Ranial (also referred to as Ramial) in Dhenkanal, Derajang (or Derjang) in Angul, Jharabandha in Bargarh, and Gohira in Deogarh. Inspections will proceed in three phases: July 17-18 for the first two sites, July 20-21 for the next pair, and July 22-23 for the remaining reservoirs.
Officials from the Water Resources Department, led by Engineer-in-Chief Sushil Kumar Behera, have coordinated with various agencies to ensure comprehensive evaluations. The team will examine key factors such as available water surface area, seasonal water level fluctuations, structural requirements for floating platforms, road connectivity, land availability for supporting infrastructure, and proximity to Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) substations for efficient grid integration and power evacuation.
Participating departments and entities include Water Resources, Industries, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Tourism, along with GRIDCO and OPTCL. This inter-departmental collaboration underscores the multi-faceted nature of the projects, which must balance energy goals with environmental, fisheries, and tourism considerations.
The initiative builds on a workshop held on June 10 in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), where technical and commercial aspects of floating solar were discussed. A subsequent Reservoir Committee consultation reviewed a statewide scoping study that screened over 200 reservoirs using multi-criteria analysis, including water availability, accessibility, environmental impacts, and generation potential. The six sites were shortlisted based on these assessments.
Floating solar technology is viewed as a strategic solution for Odisha, allowing the state to harness idle water bodies for clean energy production without large-scale land acquisition—a common challenge for ground-mounted solar projects. By covering reservoir surfaces, the installations can also help reduce water evaporation, providing an added environmental benefit.
This effort aligns with Odisha’s broader renewable energy ambitions, including long-term targets for substantial floating solar capacity to support the state’s clean energy transition under its Renewable Energy Policy. A detailed report from the upcoming inspections will guide the next phases, including tendering and implementation for the selected sites.
