Mahagenco to set up 1,071 MW solar projects; over 3 lakh farmers to benefit: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says the Mahagenco solar initiative aims to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, lower carbon emissions, and enhance farm productivity.
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The solar projects will be developed near agricultural distribution substations—within a radius of 5-10 km—with capacities ranging from 0.5 MW to 25 MW. (Source: File)The Maharashtra government on Monday announced that the state-run Mahagenco would set up solar power projects with a total capacity of 1,071 megawatts under the Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme 2.0. The projects are expected to benefit over three lakh farmers across the state by ensuring uninterrupted daytime electricity for irrigation.
Making the announcement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, lower carbon emissions, and enhance farm productivity. “This is not just an energy project—it’s a farmer welfare initiative powered by sustainability,” he said.
The solar projects will be developed near agricultural distribution substations—within a radius of 5-10 km—with capacities ranging from 0.5 MW to 25 MW. These will be dedicated exclusively to agriculture feeders, thereby reducing the load on the conventional power grid during peak hours and ensuring a timely power supply for irrigation.
The Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme 2.0 falls under Mission 2025—an ambitious plan to solarise 30 per cent of all agricultural feeders by 2025.
To streamline the projects’ implementation and ensure transparency, the government has partnered with GEAPP India—the Indian arm of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, backed by the Rockefeller Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, and the Bezos Earth Fund.
GEAPP will assist Mahagenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited) by deploying a project monitoring unit and developing a digital dashboard to track project status, land acquisition, and implementation in real time.
Officials said a joint strategic committee comprising representatives from the state government, Mahagenco, and GEAPP would oversee the project’s execution, monitor progress, and address logistical and administrative challenges.
With an installed capacity of 13,880 MW, Mahagenco is India’s second-largest state-owned power generator, after the National Thermal Power Corporation. While the bulk of its power generation comes from thermal and hydroelectric sources, the company is increasingly shifting focus to renewables, particularly solar, in a bid to offer low-cost, low-emission electricity.
Energy department officials said the projects would not only help stabilise the electricity supply in rural areas but also reduce subsidy burdens by lowering generation and transmission costs.
“The distributed model of solar generation aligns with both environmental goals and rural development priorities. It’s a win-win for the farmers and for the state,” an official said.
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