2 hrs ago
Telangana Considers Floating Solar Projects Amid Rising Power Demand
Telangana needs more electricity because people and industries are using more power.
The State says peak demand has reached 18,543 MW.
Officials are considering placing solar panels on the surfaces of large reservoirs.
This is called floating solar power.
The Energy and Irrigation departments are studying whether these projects can work.
The government says floating solar plants cost more than regular solar projects.
Central funding could provide up to ₹1 crore for each megawatt, but a domestic-equipment requirement may increase costs.
Telangana hopes that changes to these conditions will encourage more investors.
Telangana is studying floating solar plants on reservoirs of major and medium irrigation projects.
Reservoirs under consideration include Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala, Sri Ram Sagar and Sripada Yellampalli.
Peak power demand has risen from 15,000 MW in December 2023 to 18,543 MW currently.
The Centre offers up to ₹1 crore per MW in viability-gap funding, but domestic-equipment rules could add about ₹1.30 crore per MW.
The State provides an annual subsidy of approximately ₹14,000 crore for free agricultural electricity.
- Who
- The Telangana government, led on this issue by Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.
- What
- The government is studying floating solar projects and other non-conventional energy sources to increase electricity generation.
- Where
- On reservoirs including Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala, Sri Ram Sagar and Sripada Yellampalli in Telangana.
- When
- The proposal was discussed in the Assembly on September 10, 2026; demand figures compare December 2023 with the current period.
- Why
- Electricity demand has increased significantly, creating a need to strengthen power generation and distribution.
Key facts
- Current peak demand
- 18,543 MW
- Peak demand in December 2023
- 15,000 MW
- Potential project sites
- Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala, Sri Ram Sagar and Sripada Yellampalli reservoirs
- Central viability-gap funding
- Up to ₹1 crore per MW
- Estimated additional equipment cost
- About ₹1.30 crore per MW due to the domestic-manufacturing requirement
- Annual agricultural power subsidy
- Approximately ₹14,000 crore
Quotes
Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister
“Industrial growth and an increase in people’s purchasing power drove the rise in electricity demand. While the growing demand was a positive sign of the state’s development, there was also a need to strengthen power generation and distribution systems in line with the increasing requirement”
thehindubusinessline.com
“The Centre’s condition that domestically manufactured equipment must be used would cause an additional burden of about ₹1.30 crore per MW”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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