The inaugural solar park under the MukhyaMantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0 (MSKVY 2.0) has commenced power generation, marking a significant step in the initiative aimed at supporting farmers with daytime electricity. This scheme is set to develop 9,200 MW of solar energy projects, with the goal of solarizing 30% of feeders by 2025.
The 3 MW solar park, located in Dhondalgaon village within the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district of Marathwada, is now providing 12 hours of uninterrupted daytime power to nearly 1,753 farmers. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is overseeing the project, which is being implemented under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Energy Minister.
This initiative is noted as the largest distributed renewable energy project globally. The Dhondalgaon park represents the beginning of the extensive solar development planned under MSKVY 2.0, which includes a total of 9,200 MW in solar projects as per the contracts awarded in March this year. MSEDCL Chairman and Managing Director Lokesh Chandra stated that the total capacity is expected to be achieved in phases by December 2025.
The solar facility, which began operations last week, was developed on 13 acres of public land, situated about 3 kilometers from MSEDCL’s electricity substation in Dhondalgaon. The project, awarded on March 7, 2024, and with a power purchase agreement signed on May 17, 2024, was completed and activated within four and a half months. It is connected to the 33 KV substation in Dhondalgaon and will supply daytime power to 1,753 agricultural pumps connected to five electric feeders. Farmers in Dhondalgaon, Nalegaon, Amanatpurwadi, and Sanjapurwadi will benefit from this new power source.
Following his appointment, Fadnavis launched ‘Mission 2025’ to solarize at least 30% of agriculture feeders by December 2025, which has accelerated the implementation of MSKVY 2.0. The state Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, recently approved an expansion of the scheme to increase its capacity to 16,000 MW, aiming to provide daytime power to all agriculture pumps.
MSEDCL officials highlighted that the scheme not only addresses the long-standing demand for daytime power supply but also helps reduce cross-subsidy burdens on industries by providing more affordable electricity through decentralized solar projects.
