Maharashtra government pushes for green energy

The Maharashtra government is planning to increase power generation from renewable sources in the next five years.

Currently, it produces 6.155 MW of pewer from renewable sources such as wind, sun and water. It aims to take this amount up to 14,400 MW. The state energy department has prepared a policy for the same.

Maharashtra state Energy Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule gave the break down of the target, saying that nearly 7,500 MW of power will be generated from solar sources, 5000 MW through windmills, 1000 MW will be produced from bagasse from sugar mills, and around 400 MW from small hydropower sources.

While power from green sources is desireable, the cost associated with unconventional sources can be high. In fact, the cost of generation from unconventional sources is as high as Rs 5.71 per MW as opposed to Rs 3.25 per MW for coal. Add to that, non-conventional sources like solar and wind power require huge tracts of land, which can further increase the costs. The government plans to minimise the costs by offering land for renewable energy plants at lower rates. In addition, the government will also encourage businesses to generate power for their own consumption and transmit it through the state grid. They will also be provided with incentives such as environmental clearances.

The state may also put on hold the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited’s (MahaGenco) plans for developing new and greenfield coal-based power projects.