SECI offers to establish 100-MW units in 2 reservoirs
In view of Odisha having huge potential to produce solar power, the State Government is now mulling to set up Floating Solar Photo Voltaic (FSPV) projects in major water reservoirs.
Reservoirs like Hirakud, Chipilima, Upper Kolab, Balimela, Indravati and Rengali can have such projects with techinical support of European Union (EU), said a senior official.
Recently, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) offered to set up 100 MW FSPV projects in Hirakud and Chipilima reservoirs.
Solar panels would be set up in these reservoirs for solar power generation in big scale. Importantly, solar power generation is non-polluting and the system would lessen evaporation loss of the reservoir, said experts.
As the SECI has planned for 10 giga watt (GW) solar power through FSPV, it has taken interest in Odisha, which is blessed with huge water bodies, where these projects can be landed.
The SECI has also requested the State Government to make a feasibility study for 100 MW solar project in Hirakud and Chipilima.
The SECI is also eager to take Green Energy Development Corporation Limited (GEDCOL) as its partner for developing the floating solar projects.
A similar offer has also been made to the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC). Floating Solar Projects have advantage of not asking for any land, acquisition of which is a big problem for the State Government.
Secondly, by setting FSPV projects on the reservoirs, huge revenue can be generated as the project proponents will be going for long term lease, opined officials. And these projects can come within a short period of time.
In view of these, the State Government has shown interest in roping in EU support for technical support.
While several rounds of meeting have already been conducted, officials said they would chalk out a road map for this purpose soon. They too stated that environment and social impact would be assessed before taking a final decision in this regard.