The Maharashtra State Cabinet has issued its ‘Unconventional Energy Generation Policy’ to promote non-conventional source-based energy generation.

The policy is divided into two parts. In the first part of the policy, the state aims to implement 17,360 MW of transmission system-connected renewable power projects by 2025. This includes 12,930 MW of solar power projects, 2,500 MW of wind energy projects, 1,350 MW of co-generation projects, 380 MW of small hydro projects, and 200 MW of urban solid waste-based projects.

The 12,930 MW of solar projects include 10 GW of standalone solar power projects, 2 GW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects, 500 MW of solar-based water supply projects, 250 MW of solar generation projects for farmers, among others. The details are furnished below:

Under the second part of the policy, the state plans to implement over ₹780 million ($10.5 million)/annum worth of transmission-free projects. A transmission-free project refers to power projects that are not connected to the grid.

These include 100,000 agricultural solar pumps, 52,000 kV of rooftop solar systems, 2,000 solar water supply stations, the electrification of 10,000 rural homes, microgrid projects for 20 homes, 55,000 square feet of solar water/solar cooking systems, and 800 solar cold-storage projects. The details are furnished below:

In December, the state cabinet had approved a draft version of the Unconventional Energy Generation Policy 2020. It hopes to address power outage issues and pollution in the state due to rapid industrialization and urbanization.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, Maharashtra has about 1.6 GW of operational solar projects and about 1.2 GW under development as of September 2020. The state ranked fourth in terms of rooftop solar installations in the country, representing 9% of the total installed capacity as of Q1 2020.

Recently, Gujarat also announced the new ‘Gujarat Solar Power Policy 2021′ with incentives for residential, commercial, and industrial rooftop solar developers. The policy will be valid until December 31, 2025.

In July 2020, Andhra Pradesh announced its Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020 for solar, wind, and wind-solar hybrid projects. The policy aims to promote renewable energy export outside the state without any obligation of power procurement by state distribution companies.