India’s largest floating-solar power project is now fully operational at Ramagundam, Telangana.
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), an energy conglomerate, has established the 100-MW plant through Bharat Heavy Electrics (BHEL), under Engineering, Procurement and Construction(EPC).
The final part of the 20 MW plant is now in commercial operation. It has been fully commissioned at Ramagundam, Peddapalli.
The plant was installed by the NTPC in its thermal power plant reservoir. Officials claim that this is the largest floating solar plant in the country.
This saves valuable land and conserves water by reducing evaporation. It is estimated that the project will reduce water evaporation by approximately 32.5 million cubic meters annually. The project can also reduce coal consumption by 1,65,000 tonnes and CO2 emissions of 2,10,000 tonnes annually.
The solar photovoltaic project was built on 500 acres and cost Rs 423 crore.
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy the project is broken down into 40 blocks with 2.5 MW each. Each block is composed of one floating platform, and an array with 11,200 solar module.
NTPC stated that the total commercial operation of floating solar power in the region’s southern region now stands at 217 MW after the Ramagundam project was commissioned.
The floating solar power plant at Ramagundam will boost the share of renewable energy in total power generation in Telangana. Around 4,000 MW is the total installed capacity for renewable energy in Telangana, which includes solar.
