The State government is putting in place a three-tier system for the smooth implementation of floating solar power plants in waterbodies across the State, including reservoirs, backwaters and water-filled quarries.
Responsibilities such as identification of potential sites, creation of ‘land banks,’ providing clearances and approvals and monitoring the progress of projects will be shared among a high-level committee, an empowered committee and district-level committees, a Power department order said in an August 1 order.
The panels, meant to ensure “effective implementation,” have been constituted in line with the ‘Guidelines for the Installation of Floating Solar Plants’ approved earlier this year, the Power department said.
Cabinet nod for draft guidelines on floating solar power projects
The high-level committee is headed by the Chief Secretary. Its responsibilities include fixing the lease rents, land allocation, clearances and approvals and measures to attract developers. The Additional Chief Secretaries for Power, Finance, Water Resources and Forest; Secretaries for Environment, Agriculture, Fisheries, Local Self-Government and Revenue; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) are the members of this committee.
