World’s largest 16,000 MW decentralised solar project likely to be ready by March 2026

Maharashtra's ambitious 16,000 MW decentralised solar power generation project — touted as the largest in the world — is nearing completion under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0 and is likely to be completed by March 2026. So far, out of the 16,000 MW proposed solar power, 1,972 MW was already commissioned, and the number is set to touch 5,000 MW by end of this month.

While a senior MSEDCL official claimed that the project would be completed by March 2026, sources said that it could stretch till the end of the year, after which agricultural consumers would be provided with power. The project is being implemented by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) with the help of private parties.

Under the MSKVY 2.0, solar parks are being set up across the state with the help of MSEDCL and local administration. "Private investment of ₹65,000 crores is being done for setting up these solar parks, which will supply power to MSEDCL at a lower cost. This power is likely to cost around ₹3 per unit and will reduce losses drastically as they are being set up within a five-kilometre radius of substations," said a senior MSEDCL official.The MSEDCL official said that MSKVY 2.0 is part of a larger plan to increase the use of renewable and clean energy. "So far, projects totalling 1,972 MW were commissioned, supplying daytime power through 369 substations. Private players are setting up these solar parks and will sell power to MSEDCL. The power purchase agreement and LOA of plans for the complete 16,000 MW is almost completed," said the official.MSEDCL sources said that a Resource Adequacy Plan was prepared for the state's power sector. "By 2030, an additional 45,000 MW of power will be generated, including 38,000 MW from green energy sources. The state's renewable energy share will rise from 13 per cent to 52 per cent. This will involve an investment of about ₹3.3 lakh crore and is expected to create around 7 lakh jobs. In addition, over the next five years, electricity procurement savings of ₹82,000 crore are projected, which will gradually reduce tariffs for all consumer categories," said sources.As part of the solar plan, MSEDCL sources said that Maharashtra has the highest number of agricultural pumps in the country — 45 lakh. "Every day, 30 per cent of the state's electricity supply — about 16,000 MW — is used for these pumps. To provide sustainable daytime supply, Maharashtra installed the highest number of solar agricultural pumps in India — 5.12 lakh — under the PM Kusum-C scheme and the Demand-Based Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme. Additionally, under the MSKVY 2.0, the world's largest decentralised solar power generation project of 16,000 MW is nearing completion," said the sources.Sources said that the project is an important factor for the plan of making a separate discom for agricultural consumers.