Floating solar power plant NTPC started suitability study in Tripura

Agartala: The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd will start a feasibility study for a 130 MW floating solar power plant on Dumbur Lake in Tripura’s Gomati district, an official said on Monday.

In the last five years, the northeastern state has increased its solar power capacity from 4.07 MW to 7.21 MW, with the government making a concerted effort to scale up renewable energy.
Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC to carry out a feasibility study for a floating power plant.

NTPC operates a 100 MW floating solar power project at Ramagundam in Telangana.
Under the study, NTPC will examine the water body area required for the plant, identification of local transfer stations and forest clearance for setting up the state’s first renewable energy plant, TREDA joint director Debabrata Sukladas said.

He said that NTPC is expected to complete the feasibility study which will cost Rs 450 crore in a few months.
“The proposed 130 MW floating power plant is critical to the state’s target of generating 200 MW of solar power by 2030. The average solar power capacity of the state is 2080 MW. TREDA, Tripura State Electricity Corporation (TSECL) and Tripura Power Generation companies – all are trying hard to tap the state’s solar energy potential,” said Sukladas.
TREDA has also initiated the process of providing solar power to interior tribal settlements where conventional power supply is not profitable.

“Installation of solar micro-grid has been completed in 17 tribal settlements while work is in progress for another 50 settlements at a cost of Rs 5.70 crore,” he said, adding that the Center had given in-principle approval for the Rs 80 crore project. which will be covered. 274 residences with solar energy.
The advantage of a floating solar power plant is the minimum land required for most of the associated evacuation arrangements. Also, with the presence of floating solar panels, the rate of evaporation from the reservoir is reduced, thus helping in water conservation.

Claiming that the PM-KUSUM scheme has so far been successfully implemented in the rural areas of the border state as far as assured irrigation is concerned, the official said that a total of 1,659 solar-powered plants have been installed at a cost of Rs 112 crore. Pumps are installed.
The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme aims to ensure energy security for farmers in the country, while increasing the share of installed capacity of electricity from non-fossil fuel sources to 40%. India’s commitment is to be respected. percent by 2030.
“Prime Minister KUSUM has increased crop productivity as farmers are getting assured irrigation which has been a perennial concern for them for many years,” he added.