First solar plant at Chembarambakkam to be installed by MWD
Posted on: 18/Mar/2020 10:02:06 AM
By the middle of May month, Chennai metro water is likely to get its first solar plant and it would be constructed at the premises of Chembarambakkam water treatment plant. The main objective behind this is to reduce power expenditure. It is now revealed that the metro water department has called for the bidders through the e-procurement portal.
The electricity bill now comes to nearly 30 percent to 40 percent of metro water total expenditure. Metro water department had joined hands with NIWE or National Institute of Wind Energy for the sake of using renewable energy and for reducing the power expenses. Technical support would be provided by the NIWE and it would also help in the execution of the project in the vacant sites of metro water.
For generating electricity for the operation of drinking water treatment and for distribution across the city of Chennai, solar energy has been chosen as an option.
To operate the water facilities, a total of 100 megawatts is required and it is now said that 25 megawatts power would be generated through solar plants. For installation, operation and maintenance of one-megawatt solar power plant at the tip of the underground tank in the Chembarambakkam facility, bids have been called through NIWE. It is important to note that the facility has got the capacity to treat about 530 mld of water drawn from the lake daily. Better transparency and cost-effectiveness are 2 important factors and these were considered for bids n e-procurement portal.
