Maharashtra ranks second among general-category states in renewable energy assessment 2025-26

New Delhi, November 5, 2026: Maharashtra has been placed second in the country among general-category states in the Renewable Energy State Assessment Framework (RE-SAF) 2025-26. The state's agricultural solar scheme and power sector reforms received national recognition in the assessment.

The award was presented at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 in New Delhi on Thursday. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan handed it to Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore-Bordikar and Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Abha Shukla. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik were also present.

The state's seven-point strategy includes increasing renewable energy generation, moving farm power feeders to solar, improving the distribution network, introducing smart meters and digital grid management, carrying out policy reforms, promoting investment and energy storage, and making power supply reliable and affordable.

A key part of this is the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0, under which decentralised solar power projects are being built near agricultural feeders and substations so that farmers can get electricity during the day.

According to the Energy Department, the scheme's enhanced target is 16,000 MW. Work for the full capacity has been awarded and about 7,000 MW has been commissioned. More than 4,500 agricultural feeders and 1,200 substations have moved to solar, benefiting more than 18 lakh farmers.

Under Component B of PM-KUSUM and the Magel Tyala Saur Krishi Pump Yojana, about 12 lakh standalone off-grid solar agricultural pumps have been installed in the state. This is about 65 per cent of all such installations in the country. MSEDCL installed 45,911 working solar pumps in 30 days, a feat recognised by Guinness World Records.

Maharashtra is second in the country in rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. MSEDCL has received more than 16 lakh applications under the scheme, and the state's total rooftop solar capacity has crossed 7,100 MW.

Other initiatives include the Saur Gram Yojana, under which 17 villages have been made fully solar-powered villages. A SMART scheme is also under way to promote rooftop solar among families below the poverty line.

The Energy Department said the honour reflects the combined efforts of the state government and the power sector agencies, namely MSEDCL, MEDA, MSPGCL and MSETCL, which worked to expand renewable energy infrastructure and improve access to electricity.