Maharashtra: Deputy CM Fadnavis Greenlights 9,000 MW Solar Power Initiative For Agricultural Sector

In a move aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the issuance of letters of award to 95 entities for the installation of solar plants, generating 9,000 MW of power.

As reported by The Indian Express, this initiative, designed to offer 12 hours of uninterrupted power supply to farmers during the daytime, is expected to create 25,000 jobs in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis said, “Our government is committed to providing 12 hours uninterrupted power supply to farmers during the day time. Accordingly, Letters of Award (LoAs) were given to 95 developers for 9,000 MW solar plants.”

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He mentioned that Maharashtra is pioneering large-scale solar power adoption in the agriculture sector, setting a precedent for other states to follow.

“In 2017, when I was the CM, we took a decision to shift agriculture feeders on solar power. The objective was to provide 12-hour power supply to farmers during the day time. We also wanted to bring down the expenditure on power,” he said.

Under the scheme, approximately 40 per cent of agriculture feeders are slated to be powered by solar energy by 2025.

The move comes as a relief to Maharashtra's 1.6 crore farmers, with 78 per cent categorised as low and marginal.

Key industry players such as Reliance Industries, Megha Engineering, Avaada, SJVN Green, and Torrent Power have secured substantial capacities under the scheme, signaling broad support and participation in the state's renewable energy initiatives.

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