Energy (Renewable)
Background- Power and Energy Sector in Maharashtra
Maharashtra, a leader in India’s power and energy sector, boasts the highest installed capacity in the country, exceeding 44 GW. The state is a forerunner in renewable energy production, achieving 100% household electrification with a robust transmission and distribution network. The sector is pivotal for Maharashtra’s economy, catering to diverse consumers like households, industries, and the agricultural sector. The state government’s commitment to reliable and affordable power has spurred reforms and initiatives, focusing on generation and distribution efficiencies, renewable energy development, and regulatory strengthening. Ambitious future plans include increasing the installed capacity to 60 GW by 2025 and aiming for 40% electricity generation from renewables by 2030, supplemented by investments in smart grid technologies.
Some of Key Challenges and Focus areas
Maharashtra’s power sector faces challenges such as:
- Energy Shortage: Bridging the gap between electricity supply and demand, particularly during peak hours, is crucial
- Infrastructure Development: Upgrading and expanding power infrastructure to meet growing demand
- Renewable Energy Integration: Effectively integrating renewable sources into the grid while ensuring reliability
- Financial Viability: Maintaining financial health in the sector, focusing on tariff structuring and loss reduction
- Energy Efficiency: Promoting efficient energy use across diverse consumer bases .
- Renewable Energy Specific Challenges: Addressing issues like land availability, grid integration, financial viability, policy frameworks, technological advancements, public awareness, environmental impact, infrastructure development, and skilled workforce requirements
Future Roadmap for Improving Overall Ecosystem of Energy and Renewable Energy
MITRA, as an enabler in the development of energy sector in Maharashtra shall play a crucial role in:
- Research and Analysis: Identifying root causes and potential solutions to sectoral challenges
- Policy Advocacy: Developing and promoting evidence-based policy recommendations
- Collaboration Facilitation: Bridging government, industry, and academia to address power sector issues
- Awareness Raising: Highlighting challenges and opportunities in the power sector
Projects to be taken up by MITRA
MITRA’s targeted projects include:
- Green Hydrogen Ecosystem Development: MITRA supports policies and initiatives for renewable energy generation, such as floating solar parks on irrigation reservoirs. It also encourages setting up Hydrolysis Plants near these reservoirs, providing incentives to anchor investors in the Green Hydrogen space.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Organizing workshops and roundtables to facilitate impactful investment decisions in Maharashtra’s power sector.
- Reducing T&D Losses: Recommendations might include smart grid deployment, theft prevention, and demand response programs.
- Financial Reforms for State Power Utilities: Suggesting measures like tariff rationalization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvements.
- Renewable Energy Share Increase: Developing strategies for renewable energy auctions, feed-in tariffs, and green energy corridors.
- Promotion of Energy Efficiency: Advocating for energy audits, efficiency standards, and public awareness campaigns.
By tackling these challenges, MITRA aims to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and affordability of Maharashtra’s power sector, benefiting all stakeholders from consumers to the government.
