World’s largest Floating Solar Plant at Omkareshwar Dam, Madhya Pradesh: Key features, significance and other details

Why in News?

The World’s largest Floating solar energy project is to be constructed at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river and will be operational by 2023.

About the largest solar power plant:

1. It would be a 600 MW plant based on utilising solar energy
2. The plant would be located on Omkareshwar dam in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh
3. The panels are capable to adjust their position automatically when the water levels of the dam are low.
4. The project will be requiring an investment of 410 million dollars which is equivalent to INR 30 billion.
5. Three agencies namely International Finance Corporation, World Bank and Power Grid would be providing aid for the project.
6. India has completed the primary feasibility study of the project in collaboration with the World Bank.
7. The project is likely to begin generation of power by 2022-23
8. The floating solar plant would be designed in a way to withstand strong waves and floods while it would continue to generate solar power at the same time.

What is Floating Solar Plant?

A floating solar plant refers to an installation of solar power production that is mounted on a structure floating on a body of water. It may typically be on an artificial basin or a lake.