PSU proposes Rs 1.3k cr investment to set up solar projects on 4 dams

Panaji: SJVN Green Energy Ltd (SGEL), a public sector undertaking, has sent a proposal to the state government to invest over Rs 1,300 crore to generate 190MW of power by setting up four floating solar projects in Goa. The state would have to purchase the power from the PSU at Rs 3.8-4.3 per kWh, the proposal stated.

The plants will be set up on the Selaulim, Amthanem, Anjunem, and Chapoli dams.

In 2021, the state government decided to set up a floating solar power plant on four dams in the state, and invited expressions of interest (EoI) to set up grid-connected floating solar power plants at these sites. These plants will be set up on the four dams on a design, built, finance, and operate model for 25 years.

Twelve companies showed interest to set up the floating solar power plants, but this did not see the light of the day.

A senior official said that the objectives of the EoI include solar power generation, conservation of water due to reduced evaporation, creation of employment to the rural community, and higher solar generation due to the ‘maintained’ temperature of solar panels.

In another project involving SGEL, the PSU has partnered with Norwegian consultant M/s Ocean Sun for the implementation of a membrane-based floating pilot project ranging from 1 to 2 MW, in line with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between SGEL and the department of new and renewable energy.

Two sites have been identified for the pilot project — the breakwater of the Mormugao Port Authority’s port site, and downstream in the Mandovi river, adjacent to the Naval jetty. Officials of SGEL and Goa energy development agency (GEDA) conducted site visits to these locations. Partial data of the MPA site was shared with SGEL, and the Mandovi site would be shared after clearance and allocation by the caption of ports, a senior official said.