Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have held a successful partner meeting in Mumbai. The meeting focused on the upcoming 500 megawatts (MW) tender in Maharashtra, building on the partnership established earlier this year through a Memorandum of Intent (MoI). The MoI aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and promote sustainable development in India. 

The partner's meeting served as a platform for MAHAPREIT and GEAPP to strategies and collaborate on the implementation of renewable energy initiatives. During the meeting, MAHAPREIT and GEAPP drew the roadmap for the implementation of the 500 MW tender for PM-KUSUM C/Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana. This will benefit the state in three ways - bringing an investment of Rs 2,500 crore in solar energy, reducing CO2 emissions by 400,000 tonnes annually, and supporting 100,000 farmers.

“Today's meeting is a step forward in our collaborative effort with GEAPP to drive the clean energy transition in Maharashtra. We are positive that through this partnership, we will enable the state target of 7000 MW solar power generation by the end of 2025, as per the Mukhyamantri Saur Urja Krishi Vahini 2.0,” said Bipin Shrimali, Chairman and Managing Director, MAHAPREIT.

GEAPP in India is supporting MAHAPREIT by appointing a Project Management Unit (PMU), which will help MAHAPREIT conduct land surveys, identify land parcels, aggregate demand, and conduct tenders to onboard EPC players. PMU will also monitor the programme execution and liaise across government departments on behalf of MAHAPREIT. Within a month’s time, MAHAPREIT and GEAPP plan to launch a cluster-led SME solarisation initiative with an objective of 500 MW of decentralised solar. Sangli, Nasik, Ichakranji, and Kolhapur have been identified as the focus districts for the first leg of the programme. Discussions with local MSME associations have been initiated. Post the success of the first phase; the programme will be scaled across other districts of Maharashtra.

Saurabh Kumar, Vice President-India, GEAPP, said, “The roadmap that we have prepared in our meeting today is a step towards the collective goal of MAHAPREIT and GEAPP. The Government of India has introduced many schemes and programmes targeted towards improving the earnings of farmers and small enterprises between 2017 & 2019 and has been focused on their welfare. GEAPP has already started discussions with local MSME associations, and the PMU will support the effective and efficient roll-out of the programme. GEAPP in India is also working with a facility manager to create a credit guarantee mechanism to unlock financial linkages for this sector.”