In the major development in India, the world’s largest floating 600 MW solar energy project to be constructed at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river in Khandwa district will begin power generation by the year 2022-23. The estimated investment in this project stands at Rs 3,000 crore, said an official release quoting the state’s new and renewable energy minister Hardeep Singh Dang on Tuesday. The International Finance Corporation, World Bank and Power Grid have granted in-principle consent for providing aid for the said project development.
These panels will have the capacity to automatically adjust their position when the water level at the dam is low. The state’s renewable energy minister Hardeep Singh Dang said the project will require an investment of $410m (INR30bn). PTI quoted the minister as saying that survey work for the transmission line to Khandwa sub-station will begin this month. Additionally, the state government has issued a tender for the study of the environmental and social impact of the project. The floating solar facility will be designed to withstand strong waves and floods while continuing to generate solar power.
Electricity will be produced in about 2000-hectare water area by installing solar panels in the dam. Solar panels will float on the surface of the water in the reservoir, the release said. When the water level of the dam is low, it will automatically adjust upwards and downwards. Strong waves and floods will have no effect on them. The sun’s rays will continue to produce electricity, it added.
A feasibility study for the project has been completed in partnership with the World Bank. In-principle consent was given by the International Finance Corporation, World Bank, and Power Grid for providing financial aid. Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company has agreed to purchase 400MW of energy generated by the floating solar project.
