Goa had planned to generate 197 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy (RNE) through floating solar panels (FSP) in Selaulim, Amthanem, Anjunem and Chapoli. The proposal was submitted in January 2024 by the Centre’s SJVN Green Energy Ltd. (SGEL) and Goa was to invest Rs.1,300 crore. The SGEL and Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) had carried out the feasibility studies.
In April 2025 the Water Resources Department (WRD) held back the funds for the project citing “ecological risks” (TGE April 3). The WRD were concerned about the effect of the FSP on the water, reduced penetration of sunlight into the possible contamination etc. For the last issue, the SGEL had suggested using FSP of high-density polyethylene as it is inert, non-toxic, resistant to ultra-violet rays and withstands harsh environmental conditions.
Recently the Chief Minister stated that FSP was not feasible in Goa as the water level in the dams will increase and decrease! Since FSP is linked to the quantum of sunlight received, it has nothing to do with fluctuating water levels. The Minister for WRD assumes that the dam water will get polluted. How? The GEDA had asked the WRD to carry out environmental studies through any national institute and check the impact, if any, but the WRD refused.
For some reasons the government is reluctant to permit FSP but are ready to part with the land near the dams. India has the world’s largest 600 MW FSP project in Omkareshwar Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh and FSP in Telangana (100 MW), Andhra Pradesh (25 MW), Kerala (92 MW), Jharkhand (100 MW) and Uttar Pradesh (150 MW). The SGEL would be commissioning an 15 MW project at Nangal Dam Reservoir (Punjab).
Considering the above cases and because RNE is Centre’s mandate, Shripad Naik the State Minister of New and RNE should direct the WRD to release the funds for the project and the government to co-operate. The prestigious project would create jobs and boost Goa's economy.
