SJVN Looks To Invest Rs 1300 Cr On Floating Solar In Goa

Government owned SJVN Green Energy Ltd (SGEL) has submitted a proposal to the state government of Goa under which it seeks to invest more than Rs 1,300 crore for the establishment of four floating solar projects in the western coastal state. The proposal holds that the total power generation capacity of the four floating solar power projects would be 190-MW.

The planned solar projects are slated to be installed on the Selaulim, Amthanem, Anjunem, and Chapoli dams.

The proposal suggests that the state would acquire the generated power from the public sector undertaking (PSU) at a rate ranging between Rs 3.8 and Rs 4.3 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Goa currently generates about 633 MW of energy but the share of renewable energy is mere 37.75 excluding hydropower in December 2023.

In 2021, Goa state government had made a decision to implement a floating solar power initiative across four dams in the small state. Therefore, an invitation for expressions of interest (EoI) was extended to establish grid-connected floating solar power plants at these locations. The project would follow a design, build, finance, and operate model for a duration of 25 years.

According to reports, the objectives outlined in the EoI encompass solar power generation, water conservation through reduced evaporation, job creation for rural communities, and enhanced solar generation due to the ‘maintained’ temperature of the solar panels.

In a separate collaboration involving SGEL, the PSU has joined forces with Norwegian consultant M/s Ocean Sun to implement a membrane-based floating pilot project ranging from 1 to 2 MW. This aligns with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between SGEL and the Department of New and Renewable Energy.

Sites Identified For Pilot

Two specific sites have been identified for the pilot project – the breakwater of the Mormugao Port Authority’s port site and downstream in the Mandovi river. Partial data of the MPA site has been shared with SGEL, and details of the Mandovi site will be disclosed after receiving clearance and allocation from the captain of ports.

Solar Power in Goa

Goa is a small state situated through the difficult Western Ghats terrain, which makes it struggle to find spaces to install solar power projects to heighten its RE installed capacity.

The last budgetary announcement had provisions for development of 300-MW solar projects. 25-30 MW of solar is planned on government buildings, stadiums, malls, complexes etc.

As the state looks to achieve the net-zero target by the end of this decade, it recently came up with a roadmap for transition of electricity to solar energy.  GEDA recently invited bids for the development of a 2.25 MW of solar project at Mormugao Port.