Maharashtra is set to become the first state in India to establish a dedicated power company for farmers, aimed at supplying them with sustainable, low-cost solar energy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday. The move is part of a broader initiative to boost clean energy adoption in agriculture and reduce pollution from conventional power sources.
Speaking at an event where the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) signed a USD 1 billion loan agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Fadnavis said the state is targeting 16,000 MW of solar power generation by December 2026, specifically for agricultural consumers.
According to the Chief Minister, the new energy company will ensure every farmer in Maharashtra gains access to solar power by the end of next year. “This initiative will enable farmers to cultivate their fields with clean energy. Solar pumps will also provide a major financial relief, as farmers will receive free electricity for the next 25 years,” he said.
Fadnavis recalled that Maharashtra endured severe droughts twice during his earlier tenure (2014–2019), and inconsistent power supply only added to farmers’ difficulties. He highlighted that the pilot project of segregated agricultural feeders powered by solar energy in Ralegan Siddhi delivered significant success.
He further pointed out that the earlier plan to distribute one lakh solar pumps was halted when his government left office. However, the momentum has resumed under the Kusum Scheme, with Maharashtra now accounting for 7 lakh out of the 9 lakh solar pumps installed nationwide, enabling farmers to grow up to three crops annually. In contrast, he noted that prior to 2013, farmers often waited nearly four years after applying for a pump, and the state installed only about 15,000 pumps per year at that time.
The Chief Minister also highlighted a new national record: 45,911 solar pumps installed in a single month, from October 27 to November 25. This achievement, confirmed by Guinness World Records, is more than double the previous installation rate of around 19,000 pumps per month.
Fadnavis emphasized the significant cost savings from solar energy. While thermal power costs approximately ₹8 per unit, solar energy is procured at around ₹3 per unit. This reduction has lowered the subsidy burden of ₹6.5 per unit on agricultural consumption. As a result, MSEDCL has announced a 3% annual reduction in industrial and domestic power tariffs.
“This record-setting installation of solar pumps is not just a milestone for Maharashtra; it sets a new benchmark for India’s energy sector,” Fadnavis said, after virtually interacting with farmers who have benefited from the solar pump scheme.
