In a massive project that aims to tap sustainable energy, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supplies and Sewerage Board has decided to install solar panels in 50 of its reservoirs. The reservoirs selected for solar panelling are those that have a capacity of 10 million litres and above.
With this, Telangana will follow other States including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Chhattisgarh that pioneered solar-powered reservoirs. Solar panelling is expected to be done by the State agency, Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd.
Water Board Managing Director M. Dana Kishore invited budget estimates and proposal from the body the previous day. Work on solar panelling started with Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development asking water board officials to opt for renewable energy solutions at the new and existing reservoirs.
The city’s big reservoirs including Himayatsagar and Osmansagar, however, will not be covered under solar panelling as beautification process has left very little space for panels to be laid. “Though Himayatsagar and Osmansagar will not be covered in the first phase of solar panelling, in the second round we are planning to find space,” Vijay Kumar Reddy, director revenue, of the water board, clarified.
Power to feed grid
In some areas solar power from reservoirs will not be just power pumping sites but also add energy into the electric grid. For instance, at Gungal six reservoirs will add excess power to the grid because consumption in the location is low. However, in areas where they pump water from Krishna and Godavari rivers the board might use excess power than what it produces at the reservoirs. “We expect to cover our usage by simultaneously contributing and drawing power from the grid,” Mr. Reddy told The Hindu . The extent of power excess will be tabulated by the end of this month, after the State agency for renewable energy submits its proposal.
Apart from supporting pumping stations, solar power is also expected to cover usage in 900 acres of land attached to water board reservoirs. The board had requested the State government to sanction building work of a 100-mega watt power station to support power usage in these open plots.
The proposal is not yet sanctioned by the government, though initial estimates expects the board to break even with solar panelling.
Once Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd submits its proposal and costs for solar panelling, work on the renewable energy project will start in July, officials stated.
