A picturesque view of the Supa Dam across the Kali River, with the sprawling Kali backwaters at Ganeshgudi in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district.
Bengaluru: More than three years after its board approved a proposal in August 2023 to develop Karnataka’s first floating solar parks in the backwaters of various reservoirs, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has finally taken a step forward by inviting consultancy bids for the proposed projects. The initiative envisages converting vast stretches of reservoir backwaters into power-generating hubs, with the potential to set up floating solar plants with a combined capacity of 1,500 MW. “Karnataka is exploring the potential for 1,500 MW of floating solar capacity by making productive use of suitable reservoir surfaces. Once implemented, this will be a major project of KPCL after commissioning Yermarus thermal power station (YTPS) at Raichur way back in March 2017. TOI had first reported KPCL’s plan to set up floating solar parks in the backwaters of Karnataka’s reservoirs in its September 1, 2023, edition. P Rajendra Cholan, IAS, Managing Director of KPCL, said the proposed consultancy exercise would provide the technical foundation for assessing the 1,500 MW potential.
Sources in KPCL told TOI that the selected consultants will conduct feasibility studies and bathymetric surveys and prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) to identify suitable locations and assess the technical and economic viability of the proposed floating solar projects. Energy minister K J George said the initiative would ensure productive use of reservoir surfaces to expand renewable energy generation while reducing dependence on additional land for setting up new power projects. The feasibility studies will help us identify technically viable and environmentally sustainable opportunities for future development,” the minister said. The proposed studies will help KPCL evaluate suitable locations, assess generation potential and prepare technically sound project reports,” he said.
This initiative reflects our commitment to adopting innovative renewable-energy technologies while optimising land and water resources. The corporation has now invited consultancy bids, more than three years after its board approved the proposal. The studies will examine reservoir depths, seasonal water-level fluctuations, anchoring requirements, grid connectivity, environmental implications and power evacuation infrastructure. “Developing floating solar projects requires detailed engineering assessments, particularly of reservoir bathymetry, water-level fluctuations, anchoring systems and power evacuation infrastructure. The initiative is currently at the feasibility and planning stage. Final project locations, capacity distribution, investment requirements and implementation timelines will be decided based on the findings of the studies, statutory clearances and subsequent govt approvals.
