Maharashtra Records Staggering 159% Surge in Renewable Energy Capacity Over Past Decade
According to the recently released Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-26, the state has witnessed a remarkable 159% increase in its installed renewable energy capacity over the last ten years. This dramatic growth saw capacity rise from 6,978 megawatts (MW) in the fiscal year 2015-16 to an impressive 18,046 MW by 2025-26.
Renewables Now Constitute Over a Third of State's Power Mix
The survey underscores a significant shift in Maharashtra's energy landscape. In the 2024-25 period, renewable sources accounted for 34.4% of the state's total installed power capacity. This highlights a steady and deliberate transition towards cleaner energy sources, even as conventional power generation continues to play a substantial role in meeting the state's electricity demands.
With this substantial expansion, Maharashtra now holds the third position nationally for installed renewable energy capacity, trailing only the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Detailed Breakdown of Maharashtra's Power Generation Portfolio
The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the state's overall electricity generation capacity, which stands at a total of 43,602 MW from both conventional and non-conventional sources.
- Thermal Power: Remains the largest single contributor, accounting for approximately 45% of installed capacity. Thermal installed capacity is pegged at 19,676 MW, reflecting the ongoing reliance on coal-based generation for baseload power supply.
- Solar and Wind Energy: The combined installed capacity for these two key renewable sources has reached 18,046 MW. An official noted that this figure nearly matches the thermal capacity, signaling the massive scale at which renewables are now being integrated into the state's power grid.
- Other Sources: The energy portfolio is further diversified with hydropower contributing 3,061 MW and natural gas-based capacity at 2,819 MW. This mix includes both flexible and firm generation sources to ensure grid stability and reliability.
Future Goals and the Path to 2030
The Maharashtra Economic Survey emphasized that to substantially increase the share of renewables by the year 2030, the state must accelerate the deployment of clean energy as a viable alternative to conventional electricity generation. The report highlighted a range of eco-friendly options, including:
- Wind energy
- Solar power
- Hydropower
- Biomass and biogas
- Tidal wave energy
- Geothermal sources
These sources are seen as critical for supporting long-term energy security while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of power generation.
Key Agency Driving Renewable Energy Adoption
The survey identified the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) as the nodal agency responsible for promoting, propagating, and developing renewable energy across the state. MEDA plays a pivotal role in driving adoption, facilitating projects, and supporting the implementation of various clean energy technologies to achieve the state's ambitious green energy targets.
