Maharashtra to generate 17,385 MW from solar projects in five years

28 May 2021 CW Team

Energy minister Nitin Raut told the media that Mumbai will now totally focus on renewable energies and should produce 17,385 MW from solar projects within five years.

The ministry recently announced that there will be no further thermal generation units in Maharashtra.

Raut said that Maharashtra is expected to have 25,000 MW of potential from solar projects, although the energy department has established the new Renewable Energy Policy (REP) to produce 17,385 MW over the next five years. The REP will also draw investment of Rs 75,000 in the energy sector and other relevant industries.

Additionally, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has fixed a target for the state to meet 25% of its needs from renewable sources across the following five years. As a result, the government has chosen to solely promote renewable energy.

Further, Raut said that solar power will be much cheaper than thermal power, which will benefit industry and agriculture across the state. 30% of the electricity is to be produced only by solar energy by 2030.

The energy department said that the new REP intends to render agricultural pumps with electricity during the day at cheaper costs. A total of 5 lakh solar farm pumps will be introduced in the state across the following five years. Approximately 10,000 households in remote regions will receive solar energy. As per the sources, electricity needs are down 33% during the pandemic and several thermal units have been idle. There is currently an immense gap between supply and demand.

Image Source

Also read: Maharashtra discom opens tender for 500 MW wind-solar hybrid projects

Also read: Maharashtra to spend Rs 25 bn on Mahavitaran power infra

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..