Maharashtra Plans To Generate 14K Mw From Non Conventional Energy

The state government has set an ambitious target to generate 14,400 MW from the non-conventional energy sector. A policy in this regard will be unveiled soon. This will be a manifold increase from the 2,500 MWrenewable energy target in the previous policy, which was approved in 2008.

Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bavankule said that the new policy would be tabled before the state cabinet soon. Of the 14,400 MW target, 7,500 MW is expected to come in from the solar sector, and wind energy and baggase-based co-generation will contribute 5,000 MW and 1,000 MW respectively. Small hydro power projects, which have a capacity of 5 MW and less, will make up for 400 MW. At least 300 MW is proposed to be generated from industrial waste and 200 MW from biomass.

Bavankule said that the state had completed and surpassed the 2,500 MW target in the previous policy.

This target included 2,000 MW from wind energy, 1,000 MW from baggase-based cogeneration (by sugar factories), 400 MW through biomass and 100 MW from small hydro projects. This policy had been approved in September 2008. The Maharashtragovernment has been announcing policies from 1996 onwards to promote generation of power through clean and non-conventional energy sources.

The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) promotes the development of non-conventional energy resources.

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