Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Pushes for Solar Pump Changes to Boost Farmers’ Demands
Mumbai: In a key move to support farmers, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the state Energy department to roll out new guidelines for the Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme. He made this call on Friday, keeping farmers’ requests front and center.
Speaking at a meeting of the Board of Directors for the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) holding company, Fadnavis highlighted how farmers want tweaks to the scheme’s criteria. "The Energy department must consider these issues and issue clear guidelines soon," he urged.
He also stressed the need for better teamwork among key players in Maharashtra’s power sector. "The MSEB Holding Company should ramp up communication with Mahavitaran, the state’s electricity distribution arm, MahaTransco for transmission, and MahaGenco for generation," Fadnavis said. This, he added, will help fast-track important projects.
On a positive note, the CM praised MahaTransco for its strong performance. The company raked in nearly Rs 1,800 crore in profits during the 2024-25 financial year and met all targets set by the Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Fadnavis is optimistic: "I hope MahaTransco keeps up this momentum and does even better next year."
He also gave a shoutout to Mahavitaran, which topped national rankings with a stellar score of 93 out of 100 from the Union Ministry of Power. "Great job—keep leading the way!" Fadnavis said.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister shared ambitious plans for Maharashtra’s renewable energy push. By 2030, a whopping 58% of the state’s energy mix will come from green sources like solar and wind. "We’re aiming for 16,000 MW of power for farmers to switch fully to solar by 2026," he explained. This shift will cut down on electricity subsidies and lower industrial tariffs each year for the next five years, making power more affordable.
Fadnavis didn’t stop there—he talked about pumped storage hydro projects to store energy efficiently. Maharashtra has lined up 75,000 MW worth of such projects, with 7,000 MW set to start generating power in just two years. "This will ensure round-the-clock green energy and help stabilize India’s national grid," he noted, calling it a big win for the state.
These steps show Maharashtra’s commitment to sustainable energy and farmer welfare, promising a brighter, greener future for everyone.
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