Surat Municipal First to Use Solar Energy For Water Distribution

According to sources, out of the total 6 MW of solar power plants, 4 MW is dedicated for water supply management.

Surat has become the first city in India to not be dependant on electricity distributors for powering its water supply network. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is utilising solar power sourced from the city’s solar plants to supply water. The pioneering municipal body thus added another feather to its cap. 

According to sources, out of the total 6 MW of solar power plants, 4 MW is dedicated for water supply management.

Out of the 6 MW solar power plants, 4 MW is dedicated for Sarthana waterworks, Katargam waterworks, Rander waterworks, Varachha waterworks, Udhana water distribution station, Magob water distribution station and Simada water distribution station. The total solar energy generation out of 4MW solar power plants meant for water supply is about 53 lakh units per annum.

PM Modi, recently inaugurated a number of solar power plants with a collective capacity of 1 MW in the city recently. The solar power plants located at various locations in the city, which include three water distribution plants and 18 municipal schools, and cumulatively account for 1 MW of energy generation.

The latest additions to the city’s 6 MW solar capacity will be used for generating power for the city’s waterworks, water distribution centre, and water treatment plant. Maharashtra-based Waaree Energies is a partner to the smart city of Surat and has developed the latest 1 MW capacity for the city.

Sunil Rathi, Director, Waaree Energies, said, “We are extremely honoured to have partnered with the Surat Municipal Corporation for the solar power projects. We were drawn to this project as Surat has been a frontrunner in the transition to renewable resources for energy generation, and is fast becoming a sustainable model smart city. This has helped the Government save approximately INR 6 Lakh per month. As such, we are very confident that projects like these will help bring about the transformation of the solar energy sector, and also generate necessary awareness among people.”