Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s push for renewable energy through floating solar parks has run into roadblocks, with a project planned at Yelahanka Combined Cycle Power Plant (YCCPP) in 2022 still awaiting takers. Officials now admit that the venture, once touted as the city’s first floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) plant, has failed to attract any bids.
Yelahanka project yet to take off
The Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) had proposed setting up the floating solar facility at its six-acre raw water pond in Yelahanka. Spread across three acres, the project was expected to generate 1.1 Mw of power daily, with an annual production of 2.6 million units, based on around 3,700 sunny hours each year.
The plan also required solar panels with anti-glare properties, given the site’s proximity to Kempegowda International Airport. KPCL engineers calculated that the plant could operate effectively under Bengaluru’s temperature variations, ranging from 10°C to 39°C.
Despite its potential, no private player has come forward to implement the project. “While we planned to generate about 1.1 Mw, many potential bidders found it unviable economically. Given our infrastructure, we could only afford a plant of this size. We will now decide whether to pursue the project,” a senior energy department official said.
New proposals at city lakes
Meanwhile, a fresh initiative is being explored at Rachenahalli and Doddabommasandra lakes. Unlike the Yelahanka project, this proposal is a collaborative effort between Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL), the BBMP’s climate action cell, and the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA).
Engineers say only 10% of the lakes’ surface area will be used for solar panels. With Rachenahalli lake spread across 105 acres and Doddabommasandra spanning 124 acres, the combined potential is around 20 Mw. However, to start with, the focus will be on generating just 1 Mw.
Past setbacks in floating solar ventures
This is not the first time Karnataka has faced hurdles with floating solar projects. A proposed ₹7.7-crore floating solar park at Bugudanahalli lake in Tumakuru, planned under the Smart City initiative, also failed to take off. The project, expected to generate 20 Mw, was shelved after doubts over the year-round availability of water in the lake.
Conclusion
While floating solar technology is considered an innovative way to combine renewable energy production with water conservation, Karnataka’s repeated setbacks highlight challenges of scale, investment viability, and water security. With new proposals under review, officials hope the Bengaluru lake projects can finally provide momentum to the state’s floating solar ambitions.