KSEB plans to use all major state reservoirs for floating solar units

In cooperation with the Union government, Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEB) plans to deploy floating solar energy units in all main state basins. Currently KSEB has floating solar unit in Banasurasagar reservoir for generating power.

According to Times of India national daily, the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has promise to extend cutting-edge technology and support, to help KSEB cut down on power generation cost to half from floating solar units.

N S Pillai, chairman and managing director stated that the arrival of new technologies and support of the central agency would help board to cut down generation and installation costs to Rs 4 per unit from Rs 8 per unit currently.

KSEB is planing around 800 MW of additional generation in Idukki to deal with the peak load power constraints it currently faces. According to the board CMD, the preliminary feasibility study of a proposed additional power generating station, using the same Idukki reservoir, was encouraging and the board is now conducting a financial viability study.

He further stated that the desilting of 10 KSEB dams were under active consideration, but it would be conducted after the desilting of dams under irrigation department was completed.