Mahavitaran to purchase 1000 MW solar power in 2018

NEW DELHI: In a move to boost solar energy production in Maharashtra, Mahavitaran, the power transmission company of the state government, is planning to purchase 1000 MW solar power this year.nnBids to purchase 1000 MW solar power have been invited at Rs 3 per unit, an Energy department official told PTI over weekend.nnAs compared to solar power, thermal power is sold at Rs 5 per unit, he said.nn”Currently, the generation of solar power is very minimum compared to traditional energy. This year, the government is planning to boost solar power generation,” the official added.nnStates of Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are ahead of Maharashtra in generation of solar power, the official added.nnAt present, the solar power generation in Maharashtra is only 1,000 MW out of which 300 MW is produced by MahaGenco (Maharashtra State Electricity Board Co Limited).nnUnder the Chief Minister’s Solar Agri Feeder programme, solar power pumps with the capacity of 7000 MW will be set up for the agriculture purpose.nnAt present, such agriculture pump sets having 5500 MW capacity have been set up.nn”This year, the government is planning to set up floating solar panels on water reservoirs to produce solar energy, the official said, adding that the floating solar panel on Ujni dam in Solapur district will be the first such solar power generation scheme in the state.nnHe said global tenders for the project would be invited soon.nnWater conservation department has set the target of 1000 MW solar energy from the Ujni dam.nnSource: Press Trust of India