Floating solar panels will be set up on a surface area of 891 square kilometres on Koyna dam will be used for solar power generation. The primary survey for the same has already been completed and the next stage of planning is currently underway. Various departments such as water resources, renewable power generation, and transmission department are involved in the project. As part of the project, the solar panel will be set afloat on the water to generate power. Such panels will be connected to each other to multiply power generation. The power so generated will then be linked with the state power grid. The Koyna dam is the largest hydro-electric power plant in the country with a total capacity of 1,920MW.
Dnyandev Bagde, the Koyna Dam’s executive engineer, said, “The project will be implemented on the Koyna dam, which would be the first-of-its kind in the state. It will be a 600MW project, where sunrays will generate solar power and will be linked with the state power grid. Challenges such as decline in water levels and complete closure of the project during monsoon were also considered while planning.
I am awaiting further instructions.” The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) conceptualized the project and has completed primary survey for the same. Balraj Joshi, NHPC’s technical director, said, “We have been considering this concept for long. We will have to take permissions from other government departments to set up the panel and start power generation. Going by the huge size of the Koyna dam, we can easily set up 600MW power plant panels.”
Source: TOI
