Maharashtra to set up 3 solar power plants

The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) will be investing over Rs 1,987 crore, for setting up three solar power generation plants in the State with a total capacity of 155 MW, said the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Prithviraj Chavan.

Making the announcement after the Cabinet meeting, Mr Chavan said that in Dhule district, two plants with a combined capacity of 150 MW will come up, while a 5-MW pilot plant will be set up in Chandrapur district.

The State Government will take 20 per cent equity in the projects while the remaining funds will be raised through debt, he said.

Cost factor

The per unit production cost would be over Rs 12, while selling cost as authorised by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission would be about Rs 17.90. Therefore, Mahagenco stands to gain Rs 5 a unit, he said.

Without disclosing the timelines for the project, Mr Chavan said that about four acres would be required for producing one MW of power.

The plants would be using photovoltaics technology for power production.

Mahagenco has already made a foray into solar power generation and one MW grid connected plant in Chandrapur is in operation.

State Plan

In a separate development, Mr Chavan said that Rs 42,000 crore annual plan was passed on by the Planning Commission on Thursday. In the new plan, Maharashtra has received Rs 4,000 crore more than the previous plan.

“In spite of getting Rs 38,000 crore plan, passed by the commission last year, we were able to spend only Rs 33,000 crore. This year we will strive to spend all the outlay,” Mr Chavan said.

COMMENT NOW