OMKARESHWAR FLOATING SOLAR PROJECT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Ecology)

Context: Madhya Pradesh has inaugurated the largest floating solar project in central and north India at Omkareshwar, with a capacity of 90 MW. 

Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project

• Location: The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project is situated at Omkareshwar in District Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.
• Infrastructure: It is developed on the backwaters of the Omkareshwar Dam, a gravity dam on the Narmada River.
• Scale and Impact
• Size: It is the largest floating solar park in India and the largest floating solar project in central and north India.
• Developed by: The project is executed by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN, which is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
• Cost: The total project cost is Rs. 646 crores.
• Energy Generation: The project generates 90 MW of energy and is projected to produce 196.5 million units of electricity in its first year and 4,629.3 million units over 25 years.
• Tariff: The project operates on a Build Own and Operate basis for 25 years with a tariff rate of Rs 3.26 per unit.
• Operational Impact: Upon commissioning, it will play a significant role in supporting the Government of India’s mission towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Environmental Benefits

• Carbon Emission Reduction: The project aims to reduce carbon emissions by 2.3 lakh tons, contributing to India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070.
• Water Conservation: It helps in water conservation by reducing water evaporation from the reservoir.