The Getalsud floating solar plant has begun supplying Ranchi with its full 100 MW capacity, adding a major renewable power source to the city’s electricity network and feeding the Namkum and Hatia grids. The plant started commercial supply at 50 MW on September 2, with permission for full-capacity commercial operation granted from October 2, according to Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) officials.
The project, described as Jharkhand’s largest solar plant, is expected to generate 198 million kWh of electricity every year. It is also projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 190,650 tonnes annually. The solar panels have been installed across Getalsud dam, using the water surface for power generation while connecting the project to Ranchi’s existing transmission system.
Navin Oraon, project in-charge and senior engineer at SECI, said permission for commercial operation of the 100 MW supply was granted from October 2. The electricity is being supplied to Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
Power from the plant is evacuated to the Sikidiri grid through the 132 kV double-circuit Getalsud-Irba transmission line. From there, it is feeding Ranchi’s Namkum and Hatia grids. The city currently receives electricity through four grids: Hatia, Namkum, Kanke and Smart City.
The additional supply comes as Ranchi’s electricity demand continues to rise. JBVNL Ranchi supply area general manager Manmohan Kumar said the city’s daily demand currently ranges between 350 MW and 400 MW, rising to as much as 450 MW during peak hours. He said the floating solar project is contributing roughly one-fourth of the city’s total demand, which could support more regular power supply.
Kumar said Ranchi’s power requirement is expected to reach 800 MW over the next 10 years. The city’s annual load is increasing by 8-9%, compared with a national increase of about 6%, he said. Six more grids are planned to meet the projected growth in demand as the city expands and electricity use increases.
Built by Larsen & Toubro over 172 hectares, the World Bank-backed project cost Rs 437 crore. Its development followed a 2019 memorandum of understanding between SECI and JBVNL and received state cabinet clearance in 2021. The project’s next operational significance will depend on how consistently the generated power is evacuated and distributed through Ranchi’s grid network as demand rises.
