NTPC Issues Tender to Assess Potential of Floating Solar Projects in India

NTPC-REL, the renewable energy division of the state-run power company NTPC, has issued an invitation for proposals for the appointment of consultants to evaluate the potential for floating solar power capacities across the nation's states and union territories. The bid document indicates that the planned study's goal is to determine if it is feasible to build floating solar PV facilities at state and UT reservoirs.

A preliminary research is being conducted to determine the viability of floating solar arrays, as well as the broad area of work involves gathering pertinent data and satellite imagery for reservoirs. The deadline for bids is July 4, 2023.

A solar power generation plant that is built on a structure that floats on a body of water, such as a lake, ocean, or hydroelectric reservoir, is referred to as floating solar. On the reservoir of the Telangana-based NTPC Ramagundam Thermal Power Station, NTPC-REL is installing a 100 MW floating solar project. Once completed, it would be Asia's largest floating solar installation. It was awarded in 2019.

The largest floating solar power plant in India, a 25-MW installation on the raw water reservoir of the NTPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power plant in Andhra Pradesh, was commissioned by the renewable energy division in 2021. 2019 saw the award of three floating solar projects to NTPC-REL. two in Uttar Pradesh and one each in Kerala.

The 92-MW floating solar capacity being built at several reservoirs of the NTPC Rajiv Gandhi Gas-based Power Station in Kerala includes the 22-MW Kayamkulam-I project. The 92-MW project now under construction includes the 70-MW Kayamkulam-II project. The NTPC Auraiya Gas Power Station in Uttar Pradesh serves as the reservoir for the 20-MW Auraiya project.