The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a budget of over ₹100 billion (~$1.2 billion) for the CM’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Program 2.0.

The program aims to provide a 24-hour reliable electricity supply to agricultural pumps across the state. It will increase solar energy capacity to 16,000 MW, with 9,000 MW allocated to solar projects and 7,000 MW decentralized solar capacity by 2025.

The state government, following the center’s model of financial assistance, will also provide 30% financial assistance for solar power generation capacity from 2024-25 to 2026-27, amounting to ₹100.41 billion (~$11.97 million). This includes ₹62.79 billion (~$748.57 million) for 2025-26 and ₹37.62 billion (~$448.47 million) for 2026-27.

Under this program, various incentives and financial assistance will also be provided for maintenance and improvement of electricity infrastructure, and support to gram panchayats through a revolving fund from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

A total of ₹28.91 billion (~$344.66 million) has been approved for these initiatives, including ₹7.02 billion (~$83.70 million) for the fiscal year 2024-25.

The Chief Minister also launched a free electricity program for farmers. The government will absorb the electricity cost for 4.4 million farmers with agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower. An annual grant of ₹147.61 billion (~$1.76 billion) will be provided for this purpose.

Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB Holding Company)’s subsidiary Solar Agro Power (MSAPL) recently invited bids to procure 49 MW of solar power under Component C of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program for feeder-level solarization.

Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) also invited bids to empanel vendors for the rate contract to commission grid-connected solar power projects of 1 kW to 30 kW to solarize 4,000 existing agriculture pumps. It will be commissioned under Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Program.