Kerala Implements Three-Tier Framework to Accelerate Floating Solar Power Plant Development Across State Waterbodies
Key Insights
Kerala has established a three-tier system to streamline the development and implementation of floating solar power plants across its waterbodies.
The new framework involves a high-level committee, an empowered committee, and district-level committees, each with distinct responsibilities for project execution.
These committees will manage site identification, land banking, regulatory clearances, and technical reviews to ensure efficient and timely project deployment.
The initiative aligns with Kerala's Solar Energy Policy, aiming to leverage reservoirs, backwaters, and quarries for significant renewable energy expansion.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Kerala has officially implemented a robust three-tier system designed to expedite the development and deployment of floating solar power plants across its extensive network of waterbodies, including reservoirs, backwaters, and water-filled quarries. This strategic move, formalized by a Power department order on August 1, 2025, aims to streamline project execution by distributing responsibilities among a high-level committee, an empowered committee, and district-level committees.
The new framework is a direct outcome of the 'Guidelines for the Installation of Floating Solar Plants' approved by the State Cabinet in February 2025. These guidelines, which complement Kerala's broader Solar Energy Policy, are specifically tailored to leverage the state's unique geographical features for renewable energy generation, mitigating the challenges of land scarcity.
At the apex of this new structure is the high-level committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary. Its mandate includes critical policy decisions such as fixing lease rents for waterbody usage, allocating sites, ensuring timely clearances and approvals, and implementing measures to attract both domestic and international developers. Key members comprise Additional Chief Secretaries from Power, Finance, Water Resources, and Forest departments, alongside Secretaries from Environment, Agriculture, Fisheries, Local Self-Government, and Revenue, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert).
Below this, the empowered committee, led by the Additional Chief Secretary (Power), is tasked with the technical oversight of projects. This committee will meticulously review the technical suitability of proposed technologies for specific regions, identify potential sites, and rigorously monitor project progress from conception to commissioning. This technical scrutiny is vital to ensure the long-term viability and efficiency of the floating solar installations.
At the grassroots level, district-level committees, headed by their respective District Collectors, will play a pivotal role in creating comprehensive 'land banks' of potential sites. These committees are empowered to propose suitable locations, whether government-owned or private lands, for floating solar development. This decentralized approach is expected to facilitate quicker site identification and local stakeholder engagement.
This multi-layered governance structure underscores Kerala's commitment to aggressively pursuing its renewable energy targets. By providing a clear, single-window system for project implementation and fostering a conducive environment for investment, the state anticipates a significant increase in its floating solar capacity, contributing substantially to its energy security and sustainability goals.