First appeared in
Asian Development Bank
100 Climate Actions from Cities in Asia and the Pacific
A new floating solar power project on Meghadrigedda reservoir is underway on the outskirts of the Indian city of Visakhapatnam.
A new floating solar power project on Meghadrigedda reservoir is underway on the outskirts of the Indian city of Visakhapatnam.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is installing an innovative floating solar power plant on the Meghadrigedda reservoir, which is also an important source of freshwater for the city. Upon completion in 2022, the 3 megawatt plant will provide renewable energy to the grid, averting 1,500 tons of CO2 equivalent annually. The project also builds on a previous nearby floating solar project on Mudasarlova reservoir, where both the panels as well as the floating devices have been improved. Importantly, the floating plant is not expected to affect the ecosystem of the reservoir or the city’s drinking water, and will take up only 1% of reservoir space.
1.5K
TONS OF GHG EMISSIONS SAVED ANNUALLY
TONS OF GHG EMISSIONS SAVED ANNUALLY
The floating solar project is part of the larger Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor Development Program and has received a $5 million grant from the ADB’s Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund. This floating solar project is also running alongside a number of climate adaptation projects focusing on watershed management and rejuvenation of the Mudasarlova reservoir.
The project will help reduce Solomon Islands’ reliance on imported fossil fuels through hydropower generated from Tina River (photo by Sallyanne Shute-Trembath).
The Challenge
Visakhapatnam is one of India’s fastest growing urban centers and vulnerable to climate change-induced disasters such as cyclones and storm surges.
Co-Benefits
Economic The project will complement ongoing efforts of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to enhance manufacturing sector growth and provide clean energy jobs.
Environment This floating solar project is complemented by other projects focusing on watershed management and rejuvenation of the Mudasarlova reservoir catchment.