Mumbai Metro to purchase 50 MW solar power from upcoming

Mumbai Metro has assured to purchase 50 MW power from upcoming Vikhran solar plant in Dhule district, a senior Maharashtra government official said today.

State Energy department Principal Secretary Arvind Singh said the government had signed an agreement to purchase 50 MW solar power from the plant, to be set up in Dhule district in north Maharashtra.

The government, in a bid to strengthen its footing in the renewable energy segment, is planning to set up a 500 MW solar park at Vikhran.

"The entire investment in the park will come from private parties. There are two private players who are looking to set up solar power plants in Maharashtra," said Singh, refusing to divulge names of the interested companies.

He said Mumbai Metro had given a letter to the Maharashtra State Power Generation Corporation (Mahageneco) and has assured to purchase 50 MW power from the plant.

Mumbai Metro is operated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (all lines except Lines 1 & 3), Mumbai Metro One (Line 1), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (Line 3).

Dharma Patil, a local farmer from Vikhran, had committed suicide at Mantralaya in January this year, demanding adequate compensation to his land which was acquired for a thermal plant, which was later changed to the solar park.