Maharashtra State Energy Minister, Nitin Raut, on Thursday, December 10, 2020, mentioned that the state, in the next five years, is expecting to invest INR 75,000 crore in the field of non-conventional energy generation. This decision could lead to a significant increase in the state's GDP.
Addressing the media regarding the same, he said that state cabinet meeting had also approved the unconventional energy generation policy focused to be revolutionary for clean and environmentally friendly energy generation in the state. As per the drafted plan, a total of 17,385 MW of electricity would be generated in the next 5 years through non-conventional energy sources. Furthermore, floating solar power projects will also be set up on reservoirs in the state.
The implementation of this policy will be important in terms of providing electricity to agriculture during the day. Out of this, 5 lakh solar agricultural pumps will be provided every year for the next 5 years, and this would significantly improve the production in the agricultural sector. Besides this, a proposal has been drafted to supply electricity to 10,000 households every year through solar energy, under the rural electrification program.
Officials have been working on a web system developed to approve energy projects in Maharashtra whereby various permits will be given in a one-stop destination. This policy will be implemented by MEDA focusing on non-transmission and transmission-related solar energy projects.
Apart from that, non-conventional power generation projects related to transmission will be promoted which will include wind power, projects based on sugarcane chips and agricultural residues, small hydropower projects, urban solid waste-based power generation projects, power generation projects based on innovative technologies, and others.
Reports state that the battery storage capacity of electricity generated by solar energy will also be promoted. Attempts will also be made to bring UPSA irrigation scheme on solar energy. The teams will be directed to set up rooftop solar projects on schools as well as government and semi-government buildings in the state. Plans are being made to approve and provide grants for the same. At present, approval has also been given to include the cost of solar energy projects in the project cost of Ramai Awas Yojana, Shabari Awas Yojana as well as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The cost of solar energy projects will also be included in the project cost of co-operative spinning mills.
Adding more, concerned departments will also be asked to plan the solid waste-based power generation projects to civic bodies through the Department of Environment and Urban Development. Rait added that a similar agreement would be made with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NICE) of the Central Government, which is currently working on research and development in the field of solar energy.
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