NHPC signs MoU with GEDCOL for ‘500 MW Floating Solar Projects in Odisha

NHPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (GEDCOL) for “Development of 500 MW Floating Solar Projects in Odisha under UMREPP” through Video Conferencing on 20th July 2020.

Dibya Shankar Mishra, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Energy, Industry & MSME, Government of Odisha graced the occasion as Chief Guest. A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC, Bishnupada Sethi, Chairman-cum-MD, GEDCOL, Dr. Saurabh Garg, CMD (GRIDCO) and Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Odisha were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC expressed NHPC’s gratitude to the Government of Odisha for considering NHPC as a partner of GEDCOL to jointly harness the huge Floating Solar potential of Odisha. He also informed that NHPC is willing to develop hybrid projects in Odisha with combination of Solar and Pump Storage stating that such hybrid concepts may result into viable propositions with storage back up which can also provide stability to the grid.

Dibya Shankar Mishra, Minister, Energy congratulated both the organizations and expected that the MOU will further bolster the Renewable Energy aspirations of the State, which are being planned in line with the Government of India commitments towards Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality.

The MOU was signed by R.K. Jaiswal, Executive Director (Renewable Energy) on behalf of NHPC and G.R. Das, Chief Executive Officer on behalf of GEDCOL. Ratish Kumar, Director (Projects), N.K. Jain, Director (Personnel), M.K. Mittal, Director (Finance), Y.K. Chaubey, Director (Technical), J.K. Mohapatra, Independent Director from NHPC and  Vivek Patnaik, IAS (Retd.) participated in the MoU Signing ceremony through video conferencing.

The MOU provides a framework under which GEDCOL and NHPC shall collaborate and cooperate to form a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to explore, identify, plan & develop techno-commercially feasible floating solar power projects of aggregate 500 MW capacity (in a phased manner) in various reservoirs in the state of Odisha in Joint Venture mode under Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) Scheme of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India.

The total estimated investment shall be to the tune of Rs. 2500 Crore. The incubation period for conceiving each SPV Project would be around 7-8 months including DPR preparation and award of work through EPC bidding with e-Reverse Auction process.

Approximate completion time for each conceived project will be around 18 months. The first phase work of the project is likely to be commenced by March, 2022.

The development of floating solar projects in Odisha shall be a win-win proposition for the people of the State and the State Government as it would bring employment generation and shall result in to solar developmental activities at remotest areas.

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