The recent incident at Omkareshwar Dam in India, where a floating solar power project, touted as the world's largest, was severely damaged by a storm, has raised doubts about the feasibility of such projects. The storm, which occurred in mid-April, caused significant damage to the plant, just days after it began operations.
The Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation, which is responsible for the project, has stated that they plan to get the plant back up and running soon, but no specific timeline has been provided. This event has underscored the vulnerability of floating solar plants to extreme weather conditions, despite the relatively mild nature of the 50 kph (31 mph) winds that caused the damage.
The damaged plant is one of three near the dam, and its disruption has been attributed to both natural forces and local opposition from Fisher people, who have expressed concerns about the project's impact on their fishing rights.
Officials are currently assessing the extent of the damage to the solar panels, with the evaluation expected to be completed within the next two days. The panels are designed to be flexible, allowing them to adapt to changes in water levels and flow.
Critics of renewable energy projects, such as Jim Hoft from The Gateway Pundit, have used this incident as an example of the risks associated with ambitious projects that may not fully consider practical realities and potential challenges.
India's energy sector is facing significant challenges, with a major power shortage expected in June, the worst since 2009-10, primarily due to a drop in hydropower generation. Although India aims to transition to green energy, it currently relies on coal-fired plants to meet its energy needs, and delays in their construction have exacerbated the situation. Additionally, hydropower production has decreased, while renewable energy has not yet filled the gap, leading to a projected 14 gigawatt shortage in June.