200-MW Floating Solar Project Proposed At Birsinghpur Reservoir

The Urban Growth Conclave 2.0 in Indore began with a Solar Round Table, where more than 20 investors from the solar energy sector took part. Discussions focused on connecting urban local bodies with solar power, reducing electricity expenditure and developing innovative models to raise financial resources for urban development projects.

The meeting also discussed the role of floating solar projects, battery energy storage systems and pooled municipal bonds in giving a new direction to urban development. Participants considered how these models could support the power requirements of urban local bodies while also helping them manage their financial resources more effectively.

Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey underlined the need to adopt innovation-based models for solar energy projects, the financial empowerment of urban local bodies and the effective implementation of development plans. He also spoke about the importance of policy initiatives linked to floating solar projects, municipal pool bonds and the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana.

A presentation was made on a proposed 200-megawatt floating solar project at the Birsinghpur reservoir. Manjit Singh, Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company, presented details of the project along with a 50 megawatt/100 megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS.

The estimated cost of the project was stated to be approximately Rs 1,564 crore. The proposed project aims to make solar power available to urban local bodies. Through the battery energy storage system, it is also intended to ensure electricity supply for up to two hours during the evening peak demand period.

The project is expected to help optimise the electricity expenditure of urban local bodies and reduce their dependence on the grid. The presentation explained that the integration of floating solar generation with battery storage would allow solar power produced during the day to be used to meet electricity demand in the evening.

Several options were proposed for financing the project. These include the participation of a developer, debt, equity from urban local bodies and viability gap funding, or VGF, through the Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Company, known as MPUDC.

The financing arrangement will also include a share of the urban local bodies in the VGF. The proposal includes captive consumption of electricity and arrangements for long-term operation and maintenance. These elements were discussed as part of the broader structure for implementing and operating the project.

The meeting also considered an initiative involving pooled municipal bonds for supplying electricity to around 200 urban local bodies. Under this model, the financial requirements of different urban local bodies would be brought together to explore the possibility of raising resources collectively.

The pooled municipal bond model was described as an important initiative for the development of urban infrastructure and for strengthening the financial capacity of local bodies. The discussion examined how combining the requirements of several urban local bodies could support the mobilisation of funds for their power and development needs.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of integrating floating solar power with battery energy storage. Such integration can enable the use of solar energy generated during daylight hours and help meet electricity demand in the evening.

Avnish Shukla, Superintending Engineer of the Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company, also made a technical presentation related to the subject. The Birsinghpur project was highlighted during the meeting as an important initiative for expanding renewable energy and improving the management of electricity expenditure by urban local bodies.

Sanket Bhondve, Commissioner of the Urban Development and Housing Department, spoke about the usefulness of solar energy. He said that, under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey, the urban areas of Madhya Pradesh are moving forward in the field of solar energy.

Bhondve stressed the importance of encouraging solar energy-based innovations in urban local bodies and meeting their energy requirements through sustainable and cost-effective options. He said that better coordination between solar energy projects and financial innovations could provide long-term benefits to urban local bodies.

He further said that such efforts would support sustainable urban development, energy efficiency and better use of financial resources. Technical officer Kamlesh Bhatnagar addressed the queries raised by the investors.

Additional Commissioner Shishir Gemawat and Anand Singh, Chief Engineer of the Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Company, were among those present at the programme, along with other concerned officials.