The world's largest floating solar plant will come to Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh

The world's largest floating solar plant in Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar / Khandwa :  After the thermal power project and hydel power project in the district, the world's largest solar power project is also going to be set up.  With this Khandwa district will now become a power hub.  The DPR of this power plant will be ready this month and the solar floating power plant project at Omkareshwar will start functioning at its full capacity by July 2023, with the completion of the tender process by the end of July.

The state's new and renewable energy and environment minister Hardeep Singh Dung inspected the site of the proposed 600 MW solar floating power plant at Omkareshwar Sagar reservoir on Monday.He reviewed the preparations made so far by taking a meeting of the officers.

During this, MPs Nandkumar Singh Chauhan, MLA Mandhata Narayan Patel, Khandwa MLA Devendra Verma, Collector Anay Dwivedi, Madhya Pradesh Energy Development Corporation Managing Director Deepak Saxena, along with various departmental officers and public representatives were present.  Renewable Energy Minister Dung told Collector Dwivedi that all the activities of Solar Power Plant should be completed on time.  It should be ensured that all necessary approvals are made on time by making coordination with the forest department and other departments.  Before the meeting, he worshiped at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple.  After this, he prayed after reaching the gurudwara.

Minister Dung said that the water level in Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar Sagar is almost constant in all seasons.  Therefore, about two thousand hectare area has been selected for floating power project near the confluence of Narmada and Kaveri river.  The power of solar energy is much cheaper than the power produced from thermal power project, as the maintenance of this project is very less.  Solar power plants are also being set up in Shajapur, Neemuch, Agar Malwa.

MP Chauhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a visionary.  As a result of his visionary thinking, solar power and wind power plants are being set up.  He said that there is a lot of pollution from thermal power projects and coal reserves will be exhausted after a limit.  Unlimited resources are available to produce electricity from solar and wind energy.  Solar power generation capacity of 800 MW will be generated in the district, including 200 MW in village Chirvel and 600 MW in Omkareshwar.  Which is the highest in any one district in the country.

MLA Devendra Verma said that after setting up of solar power project after thermal power and hydel power project, the development of Khandwa district will gain new momentum.  Mandhata MLA Narayan Patel said that the villagers of Khandwa district have made a big sacrifice for the establishment of Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar Sagar Dam.  About 300 villages in the district have been displaced.  Thousands of villagers had to suffer due to this.  Due to this sacrifice, today Khandwa district has the largest solar power and hydroelectric power plants in the country.

While expressing gratitude at the end of the program, Managing Director Saxena said that the estimated investment of this project is Rs. 3000 crores.  International Finance Corporation, World Bank and Power Grid have given in-principle consent for cooperation in project development.  This month, the power grid will start the transmission line route survey from the project area to Khandwa sub-station.  Tender is also being floated for environmental and social impact studies of the project area.  Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company has agreed to purchase 400 MW power from the project.  The solar power project invests money from private investors and due to the delay in the project, the government has to pay private investors as a penalty, so there will not be delay in setting up the solar plant and all the works will be completed within the time limit.