Maharashtra wins national award in renewable energy, ranks second in general category

Maharashtra has received a national award for its work in the renewable energy sector. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan presented the award at the closing session of the 'Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore-Bordikar and Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Abha Shukla received it on behalf of Maharashtra.

Under the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's 'Renewable Energy State Assessment Framework', Maharashtra ranked second among general category states, behind Gujarat. Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced this at a meeting held in the presence of chief ministers and ministers concerned from various states.

The ministry prepared the assessment framework with the support of the Power Finance Corporation. States and Union Territories were assessed on parameters such as growth in renewable energy capacity, policy and regulatory framework, power grid readiness, performance of power distribution companies and the investment climate.

The ministry said the award took note of the state government's sustained efforts to create a favourable environment for the growth of renewable energy. According to the ministry, Maharashtra's initiatives make an important contribution to the national target of raising installed capacity for power generation from non-fossil sources to 500 GW by 2030. Ministry Secretary Santosh Sarangi expressed confidence that the state's experience and successful initiatives would be a guide for other states and Union Territories.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Non-Conventional Energy Minister Atul Save congratulated the state on the award. Fadnavis said the national award for Maharashtra's work in the renewable energy sector was a matter of pride for the state. He said he heartily congratulated all the institutions concerned, including the Energy Department, that contributed to this success, and that the honour would give further strength to efforts to increase the use of clean energy in the state.

Atul Save said that securing second place in the country in the general category was the result of the state's sustained efforts. He congratulated all the officers and employees who contributed to the work. According to Save, the government will continue to focus on speeding up various renewable energy projects, including solar energy.

Maharashtra took part in the summit, held at Bharat Mandapam from November 2 to 5, as a 'partner state'. The state's energy pavilion, themed on historic forts, drew a good response from visitors. The pavilion presented the state's work in the energy sector under the guidance of Chief Minister Fadnavis, Minister Atul Save and Minister of State Meghna Sakore-Bordikar, and under the leadership of Additional Chief Secretary Abha Shukla.

The pavilion was built by Mahaurja in association with Mahavitaran, Mahatransco, Mahagenco and Mahaurja. It was guided by Mahavitaran Chairman and Managing Director Lokesh Chandra, Mahatransco Chairman and Managing Director Vikram Kumar, Mahagenco Chairman and Managing Director Dr Radhakrishnan B. and Mahaurja Director General Omprakash Bakoria.

The pavilion's 'virtual reality zone' was a special attraction for visitors. It offered a virtual tour of the Ghatghar pumped storage hydroelectric project and the Sinnar solar power project. Information on the Chief Minister Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme 2.0 and the 'Magel Tyala Saur Krushipump' scheme was also given through it. Along with audio-visual and interactive digital presentations, visitors also liked the pavilion's selfie booth.