Mahagenco signs MoUs for renewable energy projects

Two weeks after the state government signed MOUs of Rs 71,000 crore investment for pumped storage hydropower (PSH) projects of 13,500 MW capacity, the state-owned generation company, Mahagenco, has inked an agreement with a hydro power major for PSH capacity of 5,000 MW, and 220 MW of solar and wind with others. The projects will have an investment of Rs 41,000 crore and create 6,000 jobs.

Mahagenco has roped in the Mahatma Phule Agricultural University in Rahuri to set up a solar energy farm of 100 MW capacity. Mahaurja, a state initiative for renewable energy, will partner with Mahagenco to install a 120 MW capacity unit of solar and wind energy. The MoUs were signed in the presence of energy minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has focused more on renewables. Dr P Anbalagan, MD Mahagenco; Geeta Kapoor (Satluj); Dr Prashant Patil (chancellor, agricultural university) and Dr Kadambari Balkawde (Mahaurja) signed the MoUs.

Mahagenco, a thermal power giant in the country, has decided to step up the non-conventional pumped storage hydro production in association with Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), a mini Ratna company of the union government, to 5,000 MW. The energy used for pumping water from the lower reservoir to the upper will be produced by the solar and wind systems.

According to company sources, the sites for PSH will be identified at the 22 mini hydel projects. The state's first PSH at Ghatghar may also be expanded from the existing 250 MW capacity, said sources, adding that the work deadline will depend on the ease of permissions in the eco-sensitive areas.

According to MoUs, the agricultural university's solar farm will come up on 400 acres of land with an investment of Rs 472 crore. The project to be done with Mahaurja will need an investment of R518 crore. For PSH projects, SJVN and Mahagenco will collaborate to invest Rs 40,000 crore.