Govt gives push to solar, wind energy projects across Maharashtra

MUMBAI: With no new thermal generation units coming up across Maharashtra, there is a huge push for multiple solar and wind projects, officials from the state energy department said on Tuesday.
One of the objectives is to fuel e-vehicles, whose strength is growing gradually, especially e-buses, to make them run on “100% clean fuel”. At present, the state has over one lakh e-vehicles.
The energy department announced that at 136 locations across the state, there are Photovoltaic (solar) systems for generating 1,247 MW energy, while at six locations, the government has sanctioned setting up solar projects totalling 136 MW, and at three other locations 12.5 MW projects for wind power generation are being carried out.
“Following directives from energy minister Nitin Raut, work has been expedited for solar panels on Irai dam in Bhadravati taluka in Chandrapur for 105 MW,” said an official. Another 588 MW solar energy will be generated while there will be a 250MW solar park at Dhule and 2,500 MW ultra-mega solar park in association with National Thermal Power Corporation, he added.
In association with Energy Efficiency Services Limited, state power utility firm MSEDCL is also involved in a 200 MW solar project. MSEDCL managing director Vijay Singhal recently signed contracts at Davos for generating 12,000 MW of solar-wind energy in Maharashtra. According to an estimate, the state plans to generate a total 17,360 MW solar energy with a few more projects in the pipeline for the next five years.
Singhal said the state presently generates up to 9,000 MW from its various thermal units as well as hydro and solar plants. “The additional 12,000 MW from the new solar plants will help reduce power purchase costs in future,” he added.