Maharashtra has potential to generate 2.14 lakh MW renewable energy

Maharashtra has the potential to generate 57,000-2.14 lakh megawatts of energy through renewable sources, a report said.

"The energy generation capacity of Maharashtra through renewable energy sources is estimated between 57,000 MW to 2.14 lakh MW," a Clean Energy Action Plan Report submitted by Pune-based NGO, The World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE) to the government of Maharashtra, said.

This includes wind, solar and bio-energy sources, depending on land availability, it said.

"The action report provides sectoral analysis covering the status, prospects and options for changes in energy production and consumption patterns at the state level," WISE founder director-general, GM Pillai, told reporters here.

"This will help the state to enable accelerated deployment of clean energy technologies, enhance energy efficiency and lead the state towards a low-carbon and energy secure economy," he said.

The report suggests renovation and modernisation of ageing hydro-plants and coal thermal plants, solar retrofitting options and replacement of diesel generating capacities with cleaner sources.

In the industry sector, the report suggests comprehensive energy substitution and conversion possibilities as well as generation from bio-methane and solid waste sources.