India is generating around 416 gigawatts of power from various sources of energy. This includes a mere 150 gigawatts of power from Renewable Energy (RE). Maharashtra, a western state in India, which stands at fifth position in RE generation, produces 11,400 megawatts of energy. Looking at the threats of global climate change and temperature rise, it is the need of the day to promote more and more renewable energy sources.
Maharashtra has a favorable environment for solar power generation. Large-scale power generation for the state can be done through solar energy panels installed on the roof of the houses.
“If thermal power generation is to be stopped, this is a convenient option,” said Professor Suresh Chopane, President of the Green Planet Society and member of the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Committee.
Today Maharashtra has more than 20 thermal power plants. They emit large amounts of ash and toxic gases into the air. Water pollution is also widespread. On the other hand, naturally available, uninterrupted solar energy is available in the state which can generate large amounts of energy.
“If this happens, there will be no need for thermal power stations in Maharashtra and the country. As a result, there will not be a serious problem of pollution,” Professor Chopane said.
The situation of power generation in India
The total power generation in India as of July 2023 is 416 gigawatts of which coal-based power is 211.06 gigawatts and its total share is 51.20%. Along with nuclear, natural gas and diesel combined is 32 gigawatts, and renewable energy accounts for only 150 gigawatts. Besides this, 46.85 gigawatts is generated by large hydro, 42.8 by wind, and 67.7 by solar, 10.2 by biological, and 4.94 by small hydro.
38,000 megawatts is the power generation capacity of Maharashtra
According to the statistics of the Government of Maharashtra, the total power generation capacity in Maharashtra is 38,000 megawatts (Mahajenko—13,152.06).
As of 2023, renewable energy generation only 11,400 megawatts. This includes solar (4,094.06 megawatts), wind power (2,839 megawatts), bio-energy (2,490.00 megawatts), small hydropower (320.68 megawatts), and municipal solid waste (4 megawatts).
This story is part of a six-part series. Read Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.
This story was produced with the support of Internews’ Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Divya Marathi on Marathi on August 20, 2023, and has been translated and lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner image: Journalist Mahesh Digamber Joshi and his cameraperson interview a solar engineer in Vihamandwa village near Aurangabad / Credit: Manasi Pinto for EJN.
Mahesh Digamber Joshi
