The state government has officially approved a substantial fund of Rs 1,594 crore for a solar power project aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in the Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Scheme. This funding includes a significant loan of €130 crore from KfW German Bank, which is approximately Rs 1,120 crore, alongside an investment of Rs 474 crore from the state government.
Solar Project to Address Rising Electricity Costs in Mhaisal Scheme
The solar power project will generate around 200 MW of electricity and supply it to the Narwad substation through an independent power line. As part of this initiative, the project will upgrade 65 of the total 108 pumps in the irrigation scheme to new energy-efficient models. Additionally, the team will install advanced APFC and SCADA systems to enhance operational efficiency. The Chief Engineer (Electrical) will oversee the implementation and coordination of this project.
This initiative responds to the rising electricity costs associated with the Mhaisal scheme, which lifts water from the Krishna River near Miraj city and distributes it across six stages to Sangola and Mangalvedhya in Solapur district. The scheme incurs an annual electricity bill of approximately Rs 25 crore, which the water tax does not fully recover, leading to frequent disruptions. The solar power project aims to provide a sustainable solution to these escalating costs and ensure the continuity of irrigation services.
Cabinet Approves Rs 1,594 Crore for Mhaisal Irrigation Scheme
In a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, the government approved Rs 1,594 crore for establishing a solar power project for the Mhaisal Irrigation Scheme and improving its energy efficiency. This project will meet the annual electricity requirement of about 398 million units for the scheme. The Mhaisal Irrigation Scheme draws water from the Krishna River and will lift 23.44 billion cubic feet of water in various stages, providing irrigation for 108,197 hectares in drought-prone areas across Miraj, Kavathe Mahankal, Tasgaon, Jat talukas of Sangli district, and Sangola and Mangalwedha talukas of Solapur district.
This energy-efficient water management project will serve as a permanent solution to reduce electricity consumption costs and generate green energy. The tripartite agreement includes a loan of €130 million (approximately Rs 1,120 crore) from KfW German Bank and an investment of Rs 474 crore from the state government.
In this energy-efficient initiative, 65 of the 108 pumps in the Mhaisal scheme will feature new energy-efficient systems. The project also includes the installation of APFC and SCADA systems, along with the construction of a 200 MW solar power facility that will supply electricity to the 220/33 KV Narwad substation through an independent power line.
Addressing High Electricity Bills
The Mhaisal scheme lifts water from the Krishna River near Miraj city and operates in six stages to deliver water to Sangola and Mangalvedhya in Solapur district. This process requires pumping water multiple times, resulting in an annual electricity bill of about Rs 25 crore (398 million units of electricity consumption). Since this cost is not fully recovered through water tax, the scheme has faced numerous disruptions due to unpaid electricity bills. To keep the scheme operational, the government has often funded the electricity costs from drought or shortage funds. The proposed solar power project aims to address these rising electricity expenses effectively.
