NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited announced its plans to examine the potential of floating solar capacity in various states and union territories (UT) across India. According to the notification, it has solicited bids from consultants to conduct a feasibility assessment on establishing floating solar PV plants on reservoirs in various states and UTs.
According to a study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), it has been reported that about 18,000 square kilometres of water bodies in India can generate 280 GW of power through floating solar PVs. The floating solar potential was computed using 30 per cent of the water surface area of the country’s medium and large reservoirs.In addition to this, the top three states in terms of potential for floating solar PV installations identified are Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
In May 2023, NTPC Limited announced a feasibility assessment for a 130 MW floating solar power facility in Tripura’s Gomati district. The plant to be assessed is based in the state’s Dumbur Lake. According to the notification, the state government of Tripura has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) to construct floating solar and ground-mounted based renewable energy projects in Tripura.
Also, in April 2023, NTPC Limited and Chempolis India, a Fortum group associate company and a Finnish bio-refining technology provider signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the feasibility of setting up a bamboo-based bio-refinery in Bongaigaon,Assam. Chempolis will work with NTPC to conduct the feasibility study for the project which shall utilise bamboo for the production of 2G ethanol,bio-coal for thermal power plant and other value-added products.
