JUNE 20238NTPC-REL, the renewable energy division of the state-run power company NTPC, has issued an invitation for proposals for the appointment of consultants to evaluate the potential for floating solar power capacities across the nation's states and union territories. The bid document indicates that the planned study's goal is to determine if it is feasible to build floating solar PV facilities at state and UT reservoirs.A preliminary research is being conducted to determine the viability of floating solar arrays, as well as the broad area of work involves gathering pertinent data and satellite imagery for reservoirs. The deadline for bids is July 4, 2023.A solar power generation plant that is built on a structure that floats on a body of water, such as a lake, ocean, or hydroelectric reservoir, is referred to as floating solar. On the reservoir of the Telangana-based NTPC Ramagundam Thermal Power Station, NTPC-REL is installing a 100 MW floating solar project. Once completed, it would be Asia's largest floating solar installation. It was awarded in 2019.The largest floating solar power plant in India, a 25-MW installation on the raw water reservoir of the NTPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power plant in Andhra Pradesh, was commissioned by the renewable energy division in 2021. 2019 saw the award of three floating solar projects to NTPC-REL. two in Uttar Pradesh and one each in Kerala. TOP STORIESIndia is about to launch a 20-year-old huge hydropower project, an important step in the nation's energy revolution. The Subansiri Lower project, which crosses the northeastern regions of Assam and Arunchal Pradesh, will begin trial runs in July, according to the state-run hydropower utility NHPC Ltd. Rajendra Prasad Goyal, director of finance, forecasts that the first unit will be commissioned in December. All eight units would be operational by the end of 2024, he stated.As intermittent output from solar and wind power increases, hydropower is viewed as essential for balancing the grid due to its capacity to react swiftly to fluctuations in electricity demand. However, objections and legal action brought on by worries about environmental harm caused the 2-gigawatt project, which was begun in 2003, to be postponed.More than three times the initial estimate, the project's price soared to 212.5 billion rupees ($2.6 billion). After eight years of being put on hold, the National Green Tribunal approved the work's resumption in 2019. Due to opposition to dams, the nation has only been able to utilise around a third of its 145 gigawatt hydropower potential. "Before we can begin construction on a hydroelectric project, we need to obtain close to 40 approvals from several departments. At this point, all inspections ought to be completed, according to Goyal. "Any halts in work after it has started are problematic". INDIA PLANS TO BEGIN A MASSIVE HYDROPOWER PROJECT NEAR CHINA BORDERNTPC ISSUES TENDER TO ASSESS POTENTIAL OF FLOATING SOLAR PROJECTS IN INDIA
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