Maharashtra sets tariffs for renewable energy projects

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has fixed Rs 2.72 per kWh as the generic tariff for solar PV projects for financial year 2018-19. The tariff for rooftop PV projects is Rs 3.22 per kWh. The tariff for wind projects has been fixed at Rs 2.87 per kWh in the state. These tariffs will be valid for projects commissioned from August 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

For solar projects the tariff will be valid for a 25 year period while for wind power projects, the tariffs will be applicable for 13 years from the date of commissioning.

Recently Maharashtra had set a tariff ceiling of Rs 2.52per kWh for a wind tender in the state which is only Re 0.35 per kWh lower than the new generic tariff.

The generic tariffs for all renewable sources are given as:

Renewable power generation system Tariff without AD (Rs/kWh) Tariff with AD (Rs/kWh) Validity of tariffs (years)
Utility-scale solar PV 2.72 NA 25
Rooftop solar PV 3.22 NA 25
Wind 2.87 NA 13
Small hydro
<500 kW 5.36 5.64 35
500 kW-1 MW 4.86 5.14 35
1-5 MW 4.36 4.64 35
5-25 MW 3.66 3.92 13
Biomass 7.30 7.44 NA
Non-fossil fuel based cogeneration 4.99 NA NA

NA-Not available