Irrigation officials asked to use lands, reservoirs and canal systems to tap solar power

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Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed the Irrigation Department officials to identify and use available irrigation lands, reservoirs and canal systems for solar power generation on priority.

The Minister said the department should move beyond routine project execution and actively create its own power sources. Solar projects on irrigation lands and canals should be treated as the first priority. The State was incurring huge expenditure on power for irrigation projects and lift schemes. The department should explore solar and pumped storage projects wherever possible to reduce long-term power costs and create sustainable energy sources.

Officials could use in-house technical expertise or even draft the services of professional agencies from outside to prepare the proposals. Officials could use the studies and presentations available with the department and submit proposals without delay. “Solar projects on all available irrigation land should be the first priority. Other revenue sources can be taken up later,” he said.

Feasibility studies were conducted at around 16 reservoirs. Even if 10% of suitable reservoir and irrigation land area was used, it would create potential to rise the installed solar capacity of close to 7,000 MW.

The department was directed to work on the proposal and coordinate with the concerned Chief Engineers and nodal agencies to prepare a clear way forward.

Locations such as Manjira and Singur could be explored for this pupose and the department should seriously examine the proposal. A canal-based solar project under the BOOT model (Build Own Operate and Transfer) was also presented by the officials. The project was proposed on a canal stretch of about 15 km between Jagora and Chandora.

The model would not require government capital investment or land acquisition as the existing canal system would be used. The project could support 20 MW solar power system, generate around 340 lakh units annually and meet the project’s