BHILAI, CHHATTISGARH – Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has successfully commissioned a 5-megawatt (MW) floating solar power plant at its Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). The project marks a major milestone in the Maharatna PSU’s roadmap to integrate renewable energy into core industrial operations and reduce the carbon intensity of steel production.

Innovation in Industrial Land Use

The floating solar facility is strategically installed on existing water bodies within the plant premises. By utilizing "floatovoltaic" technology, SAIL has optimized land usage, allowing the plant to generate clean energy without occupying valuable land required for industrial expansion.

Key benefits of this floating installation include:

• Enhanced Efficiency: The natural cooling effect of the water beneath the panels helps maintain lower operating temperatures, thereby increasing the energy yield compared to traditional land-based systems.
• Water Conservation: The solar array acts as a partial cover for the reservoir, significantly reducing water loss through evaporation.
• Carbon Reduction: The project is a critical component of SAIL’s "Green Steel" initiative, aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions across its manufacturing units.

Strategic Alignment with National Goals

Company officials stated that the 5 MW plant supports India’s National Clean Energy Mission and reflects a long-term strategy to diversify SAIL’s energy mix. The initiative is expected to provide significant cost optimization over time by reducing the plant's dependence on conventional, grid-supplied thermal power.

This commissioning follows a broader trend at Bhilai; a separate 15 MW floating solar project was recently inaugurated at the Maroda-1 reservoir through a joint venture with NTPC (NSPCL). Together, these projects position the Bhilai Steel Plant as a frontrunner in sustainable industrial practices in India.

Commitment to Sustainable Growth

With this development, SAIL continues to align its operations with global best practices in green manufacturing. As the company targets a crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes by 2030-31, the integration of renewable infrastructure—including floating solar, rooftop solar, and potential green hydrogen trials—remains central to its vision of becoming a climate-responsible global steel leader.