Burnpur : First in SAIL, a 4 MW Floating Solar Photovoltaic System (FSPVS) was inaugurated at IISCO Steel Plant (ISP), Burnpur on 22 June by Director In-charge (Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plant), B. P. Singh.
This state-of-the-art FSPVS is not only the first floating solar project of steel industry but also first of its kind in any manufacturing industry throughout India.

The capacity of the plant to produce almost 4 MW of clean energy will have a significant improvement on the plant performance of ISP. The unique floating solar panel design offers additional benefits, such as potentially higher efficiency due to water cooling, reduction in water evaporation (approximately 84000 litres per annum), higher energy savings due to reservoir cooling etc. It is also estimated that the floating solar plant will reduce the net carbon emission of ISP by 5452 tonnes per annum.

This commissioning marks an important step in the path to achieve ISP’s goal of green energy generation by harnessing renewable source of energy to generate clean energy reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon footprint.

“SAIL focuses on decarbonisation and digitization in manufacturing, all aimed at achieving a cleaner and more sustainable future. The first FSPVS of ISP has also paved the way for other steel plants of SAIL to take up similar projects. This project is a true testament to ISP’s spirit of innovation and leadership in sustainable steel production,” said B P Singh.

The conceptualisation, design, engineering and implementation was done in-house by ISP’s Project & Design Department, Central Electrical Maintenance, Power Distribution Department and the Power Wing of Electro Technical Laboratory (ETL) with support from Water Management Department (WMD). The project was awarded to M/s Quant Solar and work commenced in July 2022. Commercial benefits from the plant are being reaped from March 2024.

As a leading steel producer, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is deeply committed to environmental responsibility. Climate change is a pressing issue, and SAIL recognizes the importance of transitioning towards clean energy sources.