Environmental

Hydropower developer NHPC Limited to implement floating solar technology

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Hydropower developer NHPC Limited to implement floating solar technology

India’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with M/s Ocean Sun, a Norwegian technology provider to the floating solar industry.

NHPC Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Enterprise of the Government of India with ‘Mini Ratna’ status, has operational capacity of 7097.20 MW, comprising 6971.20 MW from 22 hydro power stations, 76 MW from two solar power projects and 50 MW from a wind power project. NHPC contributes about 15% of the country’s total installed hydro capacity.

As per the MoU, NHPC and Ocean Sun will explore key areas of cooperation for demonstration of Ocean Sun’s floating solar energy technology based on photovoltaic panels. The panels would be mounted on hydro-elastic membranes at relevant sites to be identified by NHPC.

The agreement is in continuation of efforts toward sustainable development and addition of renewable energy capacity by NHPC, which is engaged not only in hydro power development but also in various renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and green hydrogen projects.

In 2020, Hydro Review reported that Statkraft, along with supplier Ocean Sun, was ready to start the construction of a 2-MWp floating solar pilot project in the reservoir of the 72-MW Banja hydropower plant in Albania.