SECI Signs MoU in Odisha to Develop Agro-Photovoltaic Solar Projects

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has signed an MoU with the Government of Odisha to develop Agro-Photovoltaic solar projects in the state.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on behalf of the Government of India has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha to develop Agro-Photovoltaic projects in the state. In such projects, the same land is utilised both to harvest solar energy and to carry out agricultural/ farming activities.

The announcement of the signing of the MoU was announced on Twitter by SECI:

Signing of MoU between Govt of India and Govt of Odisha for development of Solar Energy Projects in Odisha. pic.twitter.com/eAc3uHDENE

— SECI (@SECI_Ltd) November 4, 2020

According to the MoU, SECI will develop the grid-tied agro-photovoltaic projects in the coastal state in collaboration with the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA). SECI has said that the agricultural land would be taken up under the ‘Annual Lease Model’ from interested farmers. The government will directly execute the lease deed for a period of 25 years with the farmers without involving any brokers, SECI added.

According to SECI, this will directly benefit farmers as they can carry on farming activities on the leased agricultural land while earning a determined lease amount of Rs 20,000/acre annually from the government.

SECI has also announced the signing of an MoU with the Ministry of new and Renewable Energy (MNRE), however, the purpose of signing of the MoU is yet to be clearly stated.

Signing of MOU between SECI and MNRE pic.twitter.com/12XcJLLcQE

— SECI (@SECI_Ltd) November 5, 2020

In September, NHPC had issued a tender for hiring of consultants for the technical assistance and preparation of DPR of Floating Solar Projects of 100 MW capacity in the Rengali Reservoir in Odisha.

In July, NHPC had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Limited (GEDCOL) to form a joint venture for developing floating solar energy projects in the state of Odisha with an initial capacity of 500 MW. The two entities may collaborate and cooperate to form a joint venture company (JVC) to plan and develop techno-commercially feasible floating solar power projects of 500 MW in Odisha under the UMREPPs (Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks) scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in a phased manner, preferably in packages of 50 MW each.