Maharashtra’s power situation is dismal, and the efforts to generate non-conventional energy are even more unimpressive.
Windmill energy, solar power and biogas should have probably been at the forefront of the state’s mission to generate supplementary power, but it has woefully lagged behind in this. Now, it has been given an opportunity to fast-pedal the issue.
A significant provision for renewable energy has been made in the Union budget this year. The finance minister has increased the allocation for renewable energy sources from Rs622 crore to Rs1002 crore — which is an increase of 61%. According to senior officials of the state energy department, this will definitely induce more — and better — power generation through these sources.
“A major worry for solar energy generation is the exorbitant cost of production — it comes to Rs17 per unit. The state at present spends Rs3 out of it while the rest is borne by the Centre. If the allocation is increased to energy sources such as these, they will definitely boost renewable power generation,” said a senior state government official.
According to Arvind Mahajan, head of energy and water resources division, KPMG, doubling of allocation to the power sector of Rs5,130 crore along with the proposal to set up a Coal Regulatory Authority has come to the rescue of the power sector.
“The government has also increased the allocation for renewable energy to Rs1,002 crore and proposed to establish a national clean energy fund. Special recognition has been given to solar energy and a separate sum of Rs500 crore has been allocated towards setting-up solar and small hydro-power units, which is a welcome move,” added Mahajan.
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