Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Nov 4: The Goa government has scrapped the ambitious Rs 1,300 cr floating solar power project that aimed to generate nearly 197 MW of green energy across four major dams, citing concerns over possible contamination of drinking water.

The project, proposed by SJVN Green Energy Ltd (SGEL) in collaboration with the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), had been on hold for over a year and a half. It was to be implemented at the Selaulim, Amthanem, Anjunem, and Chapoli reservoirs — a move that would have marked Goa’s entry into large-scale floating solar power generation.

However, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has rejected the proposal, emphasizing that protecting drinking water sources takes precedence over renewable energy expansion.

“We cannot take the risk. Dam water is used for drinking, and it would not be safe,” said WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar, confirming the department’s decision. “We are not going into what other States have done; our priority is our people’s safety,” he added.
WRD officials pointed out several environmental and technical risks, including sunlight blockage, disruption of thermal balance, and potential contamination of water due to the solar panel arrays covering parts of the reservoir surface.

Meanwhile, GEDA sources noted that the Centre has been promoting floating solar projects due to challenges in acquiring land for ground-mounted panels. “Such projects have been successful in Gujarat and Maharashtra — even on drinking water reservoirs,” a GEDA official said.

To address safety concerns, SGEL had proposed using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) floaters — known for being inert, non-toxic, and UV-resistant — to minimize any chance of water contamination. The company had also assured that only 20% of the reservoir surface would be used for the project.

Despite these assurances, the Goa government has decided to err on the side of caution, shelving what would have been one of the State’s largest renewable energy ventures.