The Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) welcomes the notification of the “Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-26 to 2035-36”. While the policy sets an ambitious vision for a green economy, its true value for the Vidarbha region lies in its commitment to resolving long-standing execution hurdles.
As President of VIA, I would like to highlight the following critical observations and recommendations regarding the new policy framework:
1. Resolving the Green Open Access (GEOA) Implementation Crisis
The eligibility for Green Open Access at the 100 kW threshold was technically approved in earlier regulations, but its implementation has been severely hampered by persistent regulatory and procedural hurdles. We appreciate that this new policy explicitly focuses on clearing these bottlenecks by mandating a single-window web portal, time-bound clearances, and streamlined interface with the National Green Open Access Registry. This shift from “policy on paper” to “ease of execution” is exactly what the MSME sector in Vidarbha requires.
2. Focus on Accountability and Timelines
A significant strength of this policy is the inclusion of a detailed Annexure of Actions and Timelines. By setting clear deadlines—ranging from 3 to 12 months—for various state agencies like MSEDCL, MSETCL, and MEDA to issue operational guidelines, the government has provided a mechanism for accountability. We urge the government to ensure these timelines are strictly adhered to, so that the policy does not get caught in further regulatory limbo.
3. Enhancing Incentives for Energy Storage (BESS)
While the policy recognizes the importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), we recommend that the government move toward more clearly defined capital-based incentives (CAPEX subsidies) for such projects. For industries to invest in high-cost storage technologies, incentives of a capital nature are far more effective than operational exemptions. Since the Vidarbha region is already exempted from Electricity Duty under existing industrial promotion schemes, the duty-related benefits mentioned in the policy do not offer a substantial new advantage to our members.
4. Inclusion of VIA in the Implementation Committee
The policy constitutes a high-level Implementation Committee to monitor progress and resolve difficulties. To ensure that the ground-level technical and commercial challenges faced by industries in Eastern Maharashtra are accurately represented, VIA formally requests the inclusion of its representative in this committee. Our participation will ensure that the transition to green energy remains practical, cost-effective, and inclusive of the MSME perspective.
VIA remains committed to supporting the state’s goal of achieving 65% RE share by 2035-36 and believes that with the right focus on execution, Vidarbha can become the hub for green manufacturing in India.
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