The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is on the lookout for prospective developers to develop 1,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

As a first step in the direction, MSEDCL has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from prospective solar project developers to set up a 1 GW floating solar PV project on Ujjani Dam reservoir in Solapur district of Maharashtra.

The last date of submission of EoI is April 21, 2018. MSEDCL has issued the notice inviting EoI with the intention to explore the market for eligible and interested bidders. A tender notice will soon be issued.

The MSEDCL will enter 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the developer once the capacity is tendered and successfully auctioned. MSEDCL has stated that the prospective bidders will be allowed to form joint ventures for the implementation of the project.

Floating solar projects have begun to gain traction in the country. Apart from the top solar states, other states like West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh have also entered the fray.

Mercom previously reported that the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) tendered 100 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be developed in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Recently, the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) successfully auctioned a 5 MW grid-connected floating solar PV project to be developed in the district of Murshidabad.

In Andhra Pradesh, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) have also tendered a total of 5 MW floating solar PV projects.

Lakshadweep Energy Development Agency (LEDA) has also invited EOIs from the developers and contractors to develop 10 MW of floating solar PV projects in Lakshadweep.

Floating solar PV projects are a blessing for states which have land availability issues. Most states with land availability issues have several large water bodies or reservoirs that can be utilized for floating solar PV projects.

In December 2017, SECI had invited EoIs from prospective project developers to set up 10 GW of floating solar PV projects in a phased manner during the next three years.

Image credit: Ciel & Terre International