Maharashtra Clears 100 MW Hybrid Power Project

12 Aug 2025 CW Team

Combining 20 MW of hydroelectric power with 80 MW of floating solar capacity, the project is expected to generate around 208 million units of electricity annually. With this clearance, construction can now commence.

Completed in 2014, the Middle Vaitarna Dam in Kochale village stands 102.4 metres high and stretches 565 metres in length, supplying 455 million litres of water daily—about 11 per cent of Mumbai’s total requirement. With a total storage capacity of 193 billion litres, the dam was originally constructed with a dedicated outlet pipeline to enable both water supply and future hydropower generation.

In 2019, the State Water Resources Department approved the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan for a hydroelectric facility at the site. Consultants later proposed integrating floating solar power, adopting a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.

Following a tender process in February 2021, the contract was awarded to a joint venture between Shapoorji Pallonji & Company and Mahalaxmi Konal Urja Pvt Ltd. The partners established Vaitarna Solar Hydro Power Genco Pvt Ltd (VSHPPL) as the project’s special purpose vehicle.

Under a 25-year agreement, BMC will purchase electricity at a fixed rate of Rs 4.75 per unit without incurring any capital expenditure. The first phase will include a 20 MW hydroelectric plant and a 6.5 MW (AC) floating solar installation, expected to produce about 78.13 million units annually, saving approximately Rs 12.6 million each year in power costs at the Pise-Panjrapur water treatment facility.

Electricity will be transmitted through the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd’s (MSETCL) grid under the Open Access Policy, supported by a new 13 km transmission line linking Middle Vaitarna Dam to Igatpuri in Nashik district.

The project timeline is set at 31 months, including a 7-month financial closure period and a 24-month construction phase, excluding the monsoon season.

The Maharashtra government has approved the diversion of 4.90 hectares of reserved forest land for the development of a 100 MW hybrid renewable energy project at the Middle Vaitarna Dam in Palghar district.Combining 20 MW of hydroelectric power with 80 MW of floating solar capacity, the project is expected to generate around 208 million units of electricity annually. With this clearance, construction can now commence.Completed in 2014, the Middle Vaitarna Dam in Kochale village stands 102.4 metres high and stretches 565 metres in length, supplying 455 million litres of water daily—about 11 per cent of Mumbai’s total requirement. With a total storage capacity of 193 billion litres, the dam was originally constructed with a dedicated outlet pipeline to enable both water supply and future hydropower generation.In 2019, the State Water Resources Department approved the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan for a hydroelectric facility at the site. Consultants later proposed integrating floating solar power, adopting a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.Following a tender process in February 2021, the contract was awarded to a joint venture between Shapoorji Pallonji & Company and Mahalaxmi Konal Urja Pvt Ltd. The partners established Vaitarna Solar Hydro Power Genco Pvt Ltd (VSHPPL) as the project’s special purpose vehicle.Under a 25-year agreement, BMC will purchase electricity at a fixed rate of Rs 4.75 per unit without incurring any capital expenditure. The first phase will include a 20 MW hydroelectric plant and a 6.5 MW (AC) floating solar installation, expected to produce about 78.13 million units annually, saving approximately Rs 12.6 million each year in power costs at the Pise-Panjrapur water treatment facility.Electricity will be transmitted through the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd’s (MSETCL) grid under the Open Access Policy, supported by a new 13 km transmission line linking Middle Vaitarna Dam to Igatpuri in Nashik district.The project timeline is set at 31 months, including a 7-month financial closure period and a 24-month construction phase, excluding the monsoon season.

Real Estate

05 Aug 2026

CREDAI-MCHI to Host 10th Design & Construction Conference

CREDAI-MCHI will host the 10th anniversary edition of its Design & Construction Conference on August 19, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.The event is expected to bring together more than 500 procurement leaders, construction heads, architects, consultants and senior real estate decision-makers, alongside over 50 construction and ancillary brands.The conference will feature product launches, technology showcases, knowledge sessions, strategic business-to-business networking and recognition of procurement professionals contributing to the transformation of the construction..

Infrastructure Energy

05 Aug 2026

BorgWarner Wins Extension for High-Voltage Inverter Programmes

BorgWarner has secured a major extension of several high-volume high-voltage inverter programmes from a leading European automotive manufacturer.The contracts cover updated inverter designs for plug-in hybrid and 800V battery-electric vehicle applications. Production is scheduled to begin in 2029.Isabelle McKenzie, President and General Manager, BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems, said the programme extensions demonstrate the company’s position in power electronics and reflect the strength of its technology, in-house expertise and customer relationships.For plug-in hybrid vehicles, BorgWarner wil..

Infrastructure Urban

05 Aug 2026

Castrol India Q2 Profit Rises 43% to Rs 3.48 bn

Castrol India reported a 43 per cent year-on-year increase in profit after tax to Rs 3.48 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, supported by growth across its consumer, industrial and institutional businesses.Revenue from operations increased 25 per cent to Rs 18.71 billion during the second quarter of 2026, compared with Rs 14.97 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. EBITDA rose 41 per cent to Rs 4.94 billion from Rs 3.50 billion.Sequentially, revenue increased from Rs 15.45 billion in the first quarter of 2026, while EBITDA rose from Rs 3.29 billion. Profit after tax increased ..