Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Monday that the state aims to generate 50% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030, becoming the first state in India to achieve this milestone.
Fadnavis, who also serves as the state’s energy minister, made this statement during the foundation stone laying ceremony for Avaada Electro PvtLtd’s integrated facility for manufacturing solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and electrolyzers in the Nagpur MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) area.
He highlighted significant advancements in Maharashtra’s solar energy sector, noting that the state government has approved 20,000 megawatts of solar projects in just two and a half years. Historically, since independence, Maharashtra has had a solar capacity of 40,000 MW, but recent developments have boosted this figure to 55,000 MW for solar pump storage projects in just one year. The combined capacity for wind and solar projects now stands at approximately 20,000 MW.
Fadnavis stated that with the current pace of progress in solar and other non-traditional energy projects, Maharashtra is on track to fulfill its goal of producing half of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
Regarding the Avaada project, he shared that the company plans to invest nearly ₹14,000 crore, with production expected to commence by April 2025. The initiative is anticipated to create around 5,000 direct jobs, with a commitment to including 51% of the workforce as women.
