Recently there was news that the Water Resources Department (WRD) intends to set up a desalination plant (DSP), the Goa Energy Development Agency has proposed floating solar plants (FSP) in the backwaters of Panaji and in some of the dams, the electricity department is interested in offshore floating nuclear power plants (Goa eyes floating N-plants to reduce power imports, TGE May 11), and the government would fund Rs 5.48 crore for solar-powered walkways, car ports and solar tree installations in Panaji. The government and its departments seem to have got energised to come up with grandiose plans to tap solar and nuclear energy and provide potable water. Hope that the above-mentioned plans come to fruition and do not drift and sink into oblivion. FSPs, FNPPs and DSPs are welcome, but the government must also take up and encourage the growing of plants and trees and disallow the cutting of hills and vegetation.
FSPs in the dams have been in the doldrums for some years due to objections by the WRD, and this issue is now again being raked up. In mid-May 2025, the Union Minister for Power, Urban Development and Housing dropped the N-word by stating that Goa needs to address its power shortage by establishing a nuclear power plant (NPP). But the opposition parties and green brigades were against any such (mis)adventure in Goa, as an NPP may endanger the people and the environment. Yet, now an NPP is being reconsidered in a different avatar. Are these ideas being forwarded to spend huge amounts on appointing consultants, experts and preparing project reports which may eventually get shelved? Let us wait and watch.
