Fadnavis emphasised that the government is focused on ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable power supply while maintaining tariff stability
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Pic/X
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the state has emerged as a power-surplus region and is fully prepared to meet the growing electricity demand driven by industrial expansion and the rapid growth of data centres, reported news agency PTI.
Responding to a discussion during Question Hour in the Assembly, Fadnavis emphasised that the government is focused on ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable power supply while maintaining tariff stability.
State achieves power surplus status
Fadnavis informed the House that Maharashtra is currently generating sufficient electricity to meet its needs, marking a significant shift from previous years when supply constraints were a concern. He said the state is now well-positioned to support increasing demand from industries and emerging sectors such as data centres, reported PTI.
“Maharashtra is power surplus and well-prepared to meet rising demand from industry and data centres,” he stated.
Tariff stability with revised consumption model
The Chief Minister said electricity tariffs will remain stable over the next five years, even as the state increases its reliance on renewable energy sources. He highlighted changes in the Time-of-Day (ToD) tariff structure to align with evolving consumption patterns, reported PTI.
Earlier, incentives were offered for electricity use during late-night hours. However, with increased solar power generation, the state now provides concessions of up to 25 per cent for electricity consumed between 9 am and 5 pm, when solar availability is at its peak.
Industrial growth drives demand surge
Fadnavis pointed out that industrial power consumption in Maharashtra has risen by 23 per cent over the past three years, reflecting strong economic growth and expansion across sectors.
He added that Maharashtra continues to be a preferred destination for industries due to its competitive power tariffs and reliable infrastructure.
Maharashtra leads in data centre capacity
Highlighting the state’s dominance in the data centre sector, Fadnavis said Maharashtra accounts for nearly 60 per cent of India’s total data centre capacity and is set to strengthen its position further, reported PTI.
He noted that the government has already planned for an additional 4,500 MW of power capacity over the next five years to support the sector’s expansion, ensuring that future demand is adequately met, reported PTI.
Push for renewable energy and storage solutions
Outlining the state’s green energy roadmap, Fadnavis said Maharashtra aims to source 52 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030, increasing to 65 per cent by 2035.
To maintain grid stability, the state is investing in large-scale battery storage and pumped storage projects. He also suggested battery storage systems as a solution for consumers facing reduced benefits from captive solar generation, enabling access to affordable power round-the-clock.
Competitive tariffs to boost investment
Fadnavis stated that Maharashtra’s current industrial electricity tariff stands at Rs 8.32 per unit, which remains competitive compared to other states. He expressed confidence that tariffs will decline further over the coming years, enhancing the state’s attractiveness for investment, reported PTI.
He also noted that earlier calculation errors by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission in estimating power procurement were corrected following intervention by the state government, preventing potential financial stress and future tariff hikes, reported PTI.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Maharashtra will continue to focus on balancing affordability, sustainability and reliability in its power sector to support long-term economic growth.
(With inputs from PTI)
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