Telangana mulls to harness solar power atop water bodies

Telangana government is planning to set up solar power generation system on water bodies, special chief secretary of the state energy department, Ajay Mishra said today.
"A proposal has come to the department regarding producing solar energy atop water bodies. One French company is in negotiations with irrigation department...We had a coordination meeting," Mishra said addressing the ASSOCHAM Conference on Solar Invest-2017 here.
He said the company is setting up a pilot project for Solar Power Plants on water bodies. "They should be setting up a pilot project on whichever water body mutually acceptable to this company and to the irrigation department," he said.

"This will be a pilot project for demonstration and then based on experience we will see how to it can be implemented on other water bodies," Mishra added.
He further said to encourage use of solar energy "We are talking to bankers and will be coming up with the concept of free solar power for rooftops next month. Already rooftop solar power generation for 48 MW has been set up in the state."
For popularising this concept, he said the energy department will educate people and tie up with bankers. Approximately 1,070 MW solar power has been commissioned in the grid and by the end of this year another 2,000 MW too will be in the grid, Mishra said.

"On non-solar side, in next two-three years we will be adding minimum 5,000 MW mainly through coal based. By the end of this year we would be power sufficient to have capacity for 24X7 power supply and this includes purchase agreements we have done in last few years," said Mishra.

He said if the industry association comes up with a concrete proposal the government will try to have one zone for solar equipment manufacturing units. He focussed on easing on various other approval processes.
Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commisson Chairman Ismail Ali Khan said energy planning/policy should be based on availability of adequate resources and stressed on the need for a right mix of conventional and renewable energy sources.

"This is required not only for good stability but also for maintaining health of Discoms," Khan added.