NTPC-SAIL JV Selects U-Solar Clean Energy for ₹127.47 Crore 20 MW Floating Solar Project in Bhilai – Indian PSU
NTPC SAIL Power Company Limited (NSPCL), the joint venture of NTPC Limited and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has selected U-Solar Clean Energy Solutions Private Limited as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for its 20 MW floating solar power project at Maroda Reservoir-2 in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.
According to the auction results, U-Solar Clean Energy emerged as the successful bidder with a quoted price of approximately ₹127.47 crore, securing the contract to develop the floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project. The award marks another significant milestone in NSPCL’s efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure and support India’s transition towards cleaner sources of power.
The floating solar plant will be installed on Maroda Reservoir-2, enabling NSPCL to utilise existing water bodies for clean energy generation without requiring additional land. Floating solar installations are increasingly being adopted across India because they help optimise land use, reduce water evaporation and improve the efficiency of solar panels through the cooling effect of water.
Under the EPC contract, U-Solar Clean Energy will undertake the complete scope of the project, including detailed engineering, design, procurement, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the floating solar power plant. The contract also covers the development of the power evacuation system and includes three years of comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) after commissioning.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to NSPCL’s renewable energy portfolio while supporting the Government of India’s ambitious clean energy and carbon reduction goals. The initiative aligns with the country’s strategy to accelerate the deployment of floating solar projects, which are emerging as an effective solution for increasing solar capacity in areas where land availability is limited.
NSPCL, a joint venture between NTPC and SAIL, has been steadily diversifying its energy mix by investing in renewable energy projects alongside its conventional power generation assets. The company continues to explore sustainable energy solutions for supplying power to industrial facilities, particularly those associated with steel manufacturing.
India has witnessed growing interest in floating solar projects in recent years, with public sector enterprises leading several large-scale installations across reservoirs, dams and other water bodies. These projects are expected to play an important role in helping the country achieve its target of significantly expanding non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation over the coming years.
The latest contract award further strengthens U-Solar Clean Energy’s presence in India’s rapidly growing floating solar segment while reinforcing NSPCL’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible power generation.
