UP Approves Country’s Biggest Floating Solar Project at Rihand Dam

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet headed by CM Yoginath has given approval to the states first floating solar project to be installed on Rihand Dam. The project will cost Rs 750 crores and will be the biggest in the country.

The UP government spokesman Shrikant Sharma informed the reporters that the project will generate 150 MW power and will be completed in 21 months, according to agency PTI.

Renew Solar Power Private Limited reportedly will produce 100 MW, Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Private limited will generate 50 MW from this project, Shrikant Sharma said. The state discom, UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has drawn a power purchase agreement for the next 25 years at Rs 3.36 per unit which will benefit people of the state, Shrikant Sharma added.

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Highlights:

• It will be the first water surface floating solar power plant of UP and the biggest in the country
• The state cabinet cleared the project that will fetch investment of Rs 750 crore
• Water surface floating solar power project will generate 150 MW power and will be completed in 21 months

Further details emerging from the media interaction suggests that the entire cost of the project will be borne by the companies that have won the tender. Renew will reportedly invest Rs 500 crores for 100 MW while Shapoorji Pallonji will forward Rs 250 Crores for its remaining 59 MW capacity.

The Plant is unique as the set up will work like a hybrid-solar plant, it will generate solar power throughout the day but will generate hydroelectricity in the evening.

The Uttar Pradesh government has a target of producing 10,700 MW of Renewable energy by 2022, according to state minister for the department of additional sources of energy Brajesh Pathak. The state has been luring investors at various events after receiving lukewarm responses for its solar tenders. In April this year, auctions of around 8 GW worth Rs 40,000 crores were canceled by Indian authorities and Private Discoms. Out of which Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh state agencies reportedly canceled 1,200 MW and 1,000 MW of bids, in 2018-19. This Irked the investors leaving them high and dry.