Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd (GEDCOL) and NHPC Ltd recently signed a memorandum of understanding for development of 500 mw of floating solar projects in Odisha.
This MoU provides a framework under which GEDCOL and NHPC shall collaborate and cooperate to form a joint venture company to explore, identify, plan & develop techno-commercially feasible floating solar power projects of aggregate 500 mw capacity (in a phased manner) in various reservoirs in the State of Odisha in joint venture mode under Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) Scheme of the Union ministry of new & renewable energy.
Availability of large and contiguous patches of non-forest, non-agricultural, barren lands suitable for land based solar projects in Odisha is limited.
Floating solar projects have an inherent advantage of conservation of land and the related cost to acquire and maintain the site. Other advantages include decrease of temperature-related losses due to cooling effect and reduction of water evaporation.
The MOU was signed by G. R. Das, Chief Executive Officer on behalf of GEDCOL and R. K. Jaiswal, Executive Director (RE) on behalf of NHPC.
This MoU will help the state achieve the targets set under the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy, 2016 for setting up 2,200 mw of solar and 550 mw of non-solar renewable projects by 2022.
The first phase work of the project is likely to be commissioned by March, 2022.
Current scene: The current renewable energy installed capacity in Odisha is 362 mw solar and 77 mw non-solar. GRIDCO is further procuring 75 mw solar and 150 mw wind power from outside. The eastern state needs another 2000 mw solar capacity (1,000 mw towards Solar RPO and 1000 mw for non-solar RPO converted to solar RPO) by 2020 to meet the RPO trajectory set by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. The total estimated investment shall be to the tune of Rs. 2,500 crore.
The incubation period for conceiving each SPV project would be around 7-8 months including DPR preparation and award of work through EPC bidding with e-Reverse Auction process. Approximate completion time for each conceived project will be around 18 months.
The development of floating solar projects in Odisha shall be a win-win proposition for the people of the state and the state government as it would bring employment generation and shall result into solar-developmental activities at remotest areas, a release from GEDCOL observed.
Featured photograph (source: nrel.gov) showing the construction of a floating solar power plant is for illustration only.
