Maharashtra government could increase renewable-energy threshold to 25,000MW

Looking to set its renewable-energy sights higher, the Indian state of Maharashtra’s government could potentially raise its target for renewable-source capacity from 14,400MW to 25,000MW.

Maharashtra’s proposed policy would look at tacking on an additional 14,400MW of grid-connected capacity in the state. From that amount, 7,500MW is slated to come from solar energy.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told local press on Wednesday: “We had prepared a renewable energy policy and it was put before the cabinet. However, the union minister said the state is among the seven states with a major solar potential... and hence, the target should be increased to 25,000MW.”

Other renewable sources expected to make up part of the 14,400MW total include wind energy-storage (5,000MW), bagasse-based co-generation (1,000MW), hydropower projects (400MW), industrial waste (300MW) and biomass (200MW.) These projects are all expected to be finished by 2020.

This new policy will see a large increase from the 2,500MW renewable-energy goal set in the state’s previous legislation, which was approved in 2008. Maharashtra already has 6,155MW in renewable-energy capacity.

Power produced through this proposed policy can be sold off to developers through bidding, but they will first have to sell the energy to any distribution company within the state in order to meet their renewable purchase commitment.