Bokaro Steel Plant to develop twin floating solar power projects

The Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) – a subsidiary of state owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) – has planned for two floating solar power plants on two different water bodies. Garga Dam and Cooling Pond-1 are the identified water bodies that will host the floating solar panels to support the electricity needs of the steel plant and also the adjoining township. One of the earliest steel plants of the country, the 50th anniversary of the date when it fired up its blast furnace for the first time will come up this year.

The steel plant authorities have collaborated with the Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Authority (JREDA) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to develop the projects. JREDA is said to have already conducted a detailed survey of the two water bodies which will help it to formulate a feasibility report and the technical specification. Afterwards, a tender will be notified by the BSL.

At present BSL receives its electricity from the Bokaro Power Supply Company (BPSCL) and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). The Garga Dam is spread over an area of 4 square km and it could generate about 50 MW of green energy, according to an initial survey. Cooling Pond-1 spreads over 3.2 square km. JREDA is yet to tender its findings to BSL. The company is looking to double its renewable energy generation capacity in the coming eight years and SAIL – the parent company – is discussing the plan to achieve it.

SAIL’s Renewable Route

SAIL claims that it is expeditiously implementing renewable energy generation and its efficient use through various means. It has completed a grid connected 1 MW solar power plant at RSP and 3 MW roof top solar power units at different plants.

Besides, the Central PSU is also currently implementing a 10 MW Hydel power plant at Mandira Dam, RSP, for which a Joint Venture (JV) agreement was signed between RSP and Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Limited (GEDCOL). Similarly, 6 MW roof-top solar units on different SAIL buildings under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Scheme are also being installed.

SAIL says that it is gradually shifting to a more energy-efficient and durable LED lighting system from conventional lighting systems which is in line with the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) Scheme. It claims to have already installed more than 75,000 LED lights replacing conventional lights.