Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) have commissioned a 7987 KWp solar-agro project at Devdaithan, in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district.
As a part of the initiative, the MSEDCL’s agri-feeders are being transformed into solar agri-feeders. The project is part of EESL’s commitment to the state under the Mukhya Mantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana, wherein it will supply MSEDCL (the state discom) with 679 mw of solar power.
EESL has already installed two solar projects in Ahmednagar district, including a 507 KW project in Ashwi and 858 KW project in Koplewadi. Under these projects, EESL has transformed agricultural feeders into solar feeders, which are helping 3,000 agricultural consumers. The initiative has also reduced 11,500 tonnes in CO2 emissions, which will result in annual savings of Rs.2.2 crore to the discom. EESL has invested Rs.33.7 crore in this project.
As a part of an MoU with MSEDCL, EESL installs, finances, operates, and maintains decentralized power plants (0.5 MW to 10 MW) in the open spaces around MSEDCL substations. MSEDCL provides rented space, distributes of power generated, and undertakes metering, among other key services.
A part of the statewide joint effort between Mahavitaran and EESL, the project will provide farmers eight hours of high-quality uninterrupted and cleanly generated power.
EESL has completed its survey of all projected substations and construction of such solar plants is already underway at most sites. 107 mw of installed generation capacity is already in place, from 108 decentralized solar plants.
Commenting on the announcement,. Saurabh Kumar, EVC, EESL said “We consider it as an honour to support the clean energy aspirations of MSEDCL, India’s largest distribution utility. The speed and scale of our solar energy installations in Maharashtra are setting a powerful benchmark for partnerships with other DISCOMs across the country.”
Speaking about the benefits of the scheme, Aseemkumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, MSEDCL, said, “The initiative has the potential of providing a high-quality energy source to the agricultural sector and will be beneficial to millions of farmers across Maharashtra. It will also greatly benefit the state’s distribution companies. MSEDCL is exploring agricultural feeder solarisation on mass basis, for which the land acquisition process on lease basis from government and private parties is underway, so as to provide daytime power supply to agricultural consumers.”
Featured photograph shows officials of MSEDCL and EESL at the solar power plant inauguration