Study by GEDA shows huge potential for expansion of solar energy in Goa
A study exploring renewable energy (RE) potential in Goa found that solar energy emerged as the primary candidate for expansion, with the total estimated technical potential reaching up to 3GW, including rooftop, floating, and agro-PV installations.
It stated that biomass offers an additional 200MW of distributed potential, particularly valuable for rural and agricultural zones. Wind energy, while less exploited, presents up to 100MW of site-specific capacity, pending further validation.
'With sustained commitment and phased investments, Goa has the opportunity to lead India's clean energy transformation while ensuring economic resilience, energy security, and environmental sustainability,' the final report on 'Capacity Enhancement Planning of Renewable Energy in Goa' by the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), said.
The Clean Energy Roadmap, 2050 (CER), which was released by state govt in July 2023, outlines several sector-specific initiatives that must be carried out to reach 100% renewable energy supply and net zero emissions by 2050.
However, three major recommendations of the CER were to assess the technical means to utilise the full RE potential of the state while ensuring grid stability and system integration. The CER also highlighted the importance of planning to strengthen the transmission and distribution network in the state to uptake RE.
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Further, to understand the network augmentation required for absorbing higher RE supply, a proper operational analysis of the electrical power system along with RE potential assessment will be essential.
A senior GEDA official said the major objectives of the project were to analyse the power distribution network of the state and conduct power system analysis for RE integration and augmentation to enhance the overall share of RE in total electricity consumption to achieve the overall target of 100% RE share by 2050.
One of the major objectives of this study is also to identify the location-specific RE capacity addition potential in Goa, which will provide ample benefits to the departments concerned to identify and plan for RE capacity enhancement with immense granularity up to the distribution feeder level.
A senior govt official said two simulation scenarios for RE integration were conducted. The integration of 2.11GW solar showed high midday utilisation but also highlighted significant curtailment during peak hours and over-dependence on coal in the evening.
Adding battery energy storage systems (BESS) drastically improved system balance, reduced curtailment, and enabled load shifting, validating storage as essential for unlocking full RE benefits.
'The site suitability framework, using multi-criteria decision modelling, identified the most promising substations and zones for RE uptake, taking into account technical, geographic, and infrastructural constraints,' the senior official said. '
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