Maharashtra Bets Big On Solar Power

Eyeing the carbon credits market and central grants, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Maharashtra government is set to give a major push to green energy with a target of an additional 11,110 megawatts of renewable energy by 2019, over 180 per cent more than the state's current installed capacity. Sixty-seven per cent (or 7,500 MW) of the ambitious target will be met through solar power, while wind energy is projected to contribute another 2,000 MW.

Co-generation sugar plants are expected to contribute 1,000 MW while hydel projects, power from agricultural residues and industrial waste would contribute 200 MW each, according to a new policy to be unveiled during the ongoing budget session of the state legislature.

The policy, formulated by the state to boost clean power, will offer "deemed industry" status to solar parks, windmills and standalone solar power projects. Official sources said such a tag would enable developers of such projects to avail various tax exemptions and sops. The option of such a tag is also proposed to be offered to other renewable energy plants.

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