MAHAPREIT& GEAPP In 500 MW Agricultural Irrigation Initiative in India

MAHAPREIT & GEAPP Join Hands for 500 MW Agricultural Irrigation Initiative in India

Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have forged a partnership for the upcoming 500 megawatts (MW) tender in Maharashtra.

At a meeting in Mumbai, 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 INR 2500 crores 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 & 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.”

Senior officials from MAHAGENCO, MSEDCL, MEDA and MERC were also present at the meeting.

Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary firm of Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation (MPBCDC), Government of Maharashtra State PSU. MAHAPREIT is looking to establish and carry-on business of generating, trading, operating, leasing and renting renewable power projects, mainly but not limited to solar power projects including solar parks along with substations and transmission lines on ownership and/or build, own, and transfer basis.

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is an alliance of philanthropy, governments, technology, policy, and financing partners. The alliance aims to reduce 4 gigatons of future carbon emissions, expand clean energy access to one billion people, and enable 150 million new jobs.

In a significant fillip to the energy transition movement, GEAPP launched its India operations backed by heavyweights such as Rockefeller Foundation, Bezos Fund and IKEA Foundation.