The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is setting up solar floating panels at the Idukki reservoir to produce 125 MW power.
The 125 MW panels will be placed in Anchuruli and Cheruthoni areas of the dam where direct sunlight is available.
A large surface area of water at the Idukki reservoir is available and conducive for floating solar panels, according to a feasibility study by NTPC at Idukki reservoir. The report has been submitted to KSEB.
The NTPC report found Idukki reservoir apt to install floating solar panels. As per the report, Phase-I will generate 125 MW and after two years, another 200 MW project would be installed.
In Phase-I, 100 MW solar panels will be installed at Anchuruli area and 25 MW will be implemented at Cheruthoni area of the reservoir.
KSEB requires forest clearance for the project. It plans to begin the project in December 2020.
As per the agreement, NTPC will implement the solar power project at Idukki reservoir and KSEB will purchase power from NTPC. The board will sign an agreement with NTPC to purchase the power.
KSEB will set up 220 kv substation at Nirmalacity near Kattappana to transfer solar power. KSEB is ready to fix underlying cables to transfer the power.
The Idukki reservoir was selected for a second powerhouse taking into consideration the high storage capacity. The powerhouse has an installed capacity of 780 MW.
KSEB will set up another powerhouse with the same capacity to generate 780 MW.
