Jharkhands First Floating Solar Power Plant Nears Completion

Ranchi, March 24: The construction of Jharkhand’s first floating solar power plant is in its final stages. Located at the Getalsud Dam in Ranchi, this 100-megawatt capacity plant is expected to begin electricity production between March and April.

Once operational, the project is anticipated to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to nearly 100,000 homes in the city. Developed at a cost of approximately ₹800 crores, this project is a collaboration between JBVNL and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Spanning 172 hectares, it will be the state’s first large-scale floating solar initiative.

On Tuesday, Sanjay Seth, the Union Minister of State for Defence and MP from Ranchi, met with Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, in New Delhi to discuss the project’s progress and request its inauguration, to which the minister agreed.

The plant is expected to generate electricity worth around ₹60 crores annually, which will be supplied to the Hatia and Namkum grids. JBVNL will facilitate the distribution of this electricity to consumers.

According to officials, the cost of electricity produced by this project will be relatively low, ensuring affordable and uninterrupted power supply. A unique feature of this plant is that the solar panels will float on the surface of the dam water, reducing evaporation and aiding in water conservation.

Additionally, the cooling effect of the water will enhance the efficiency of the panels compared to those installed on land. This plant will produce clean energy, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions without requiring land use.

Under the state’s solar energy policy, the government aims to establish floating solar power plants at over three dozen dams and reservoirs in Jharkhand within the next five years. Plans are already underway for 600 megawatts at the Chandil Dam and 400 megawatts at the Tenughat Dam.

The survey work for the Chandil project has been completed, and both projects will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The government asserts that these initiatives will not only enhance electricity production capacity in the state but also create local employment and safeguard the interests of fishermen.

–