Nagpur: Solar power generation provided relief to Maharashtra ’s electricity grid as the state’s total power demand touched an all-time high of 38,021 MW on Oct 10 amid unusually high temperatures and drought. Decentralised solar projects and rooftop installations met 5,100 MW of the total requirement.
In Sept alone, the scheme supplied 878 million units of electricity. By shifting approximately 2,500 MW of agricultural electricity demand from nighttime to daytime, MSEDCL saved Rs 384 crore.
“MSKVY 2.0, launched on the initiative of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , played a crucial role in meeting daytime electricity demand while reducing dependence on expensive power purchases,” he said. Officials said that without decentralised solar generation and rooftop installations, the additional demand would have fallen directly on the state’s electricity grid, potentially creating challenges in maintaining uninterrupted supply. Officials said the initiative has delivered three major benefits — daytime electricity for farmers, improved management of electricity demand and substantial savings on power procurement.
As per MSEDCL chairperson and managing director Lokesh Chandra, the solar initiatives provided much-needed relief as electricity consumption increased sharply.