- Under its newly adopted non-conventional energy policy, Maharashtra will chase a target of 17,385 MW by March 2025
- Solar power forms the largest chunk of this target with 12.93 GW to come from this technology
- 2 GW has been allocated to come from rooftop solar power capacity and the government aims to get 10,000 households to get solar power connections annually
The State Government of Maharashtra has approved a target of 17,385 MW of alternative energy capacity to be achieved by March 31, 2025. Solar PV gets the lion’s share of this target with 12.93 GW capacity for one of the largest states in the country.
Remaining capacity will be generated through 2.5 GW of wind energy, 1.35 GW cogeneration projects, 380 MW of small hydro, 200 MW of solid waste and 25 MW of new technology-based projects, state’s new renewable energy generation policy 2020.
Of the 12.93 GW solar energy capacity target, 10 GW will come from solar power projects with a minimum 1 MW capacity while 2 GW will be added as grid connected rooftop solar projects. A total of 500 MW will be added by ‘converting’ solar power to water supply schemes in urban and rural areas to solar, and micro water supply schemes should bring in another 30 MW. Commercial and industrial systems including those for small and medium enterprises (SME) will add 250 MW. The plan includes 50 MW each for hybrid wind-solar, solar powered electric vehicle charging stations, and projects combing energy storage capacity.
Additionally, 10,000 households will be provided solar power connections annually, among other features of the policy.
The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) will be the implementing agency under the policy.
According to the federal Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the cumulative installed renewable energy capacity of Maharashtra as on November 30, 2020 was over 9.87 GW to which solar added a little over 1.89 GW, meaning there would be accelerated activity in the state in the times to come.
