Maharashtra State To Use Hydrogen Energy To Generate Power: Nitin Raut
Pune, 4th April 2022: While the Maharashtra government is supporting the use of Electric vehicles for mobility, the government is now all set to use Hydrogen Energy as an alternative fuel to generate power. This was announced by State’s Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut today at “Alternative Fuel Conclave” organised at Pune.
He also announced the Energy department’s plan to expand the base of charging stations across the state. He also hinted that the state government will soon amend the existing Renewable Energy Policy 2020 and will give more incentives to stakeholders.
“We are shifting our focus of generation of electricity from conventional fuel to Hydrogen Energy. Very soon, our State will be featured as pioneer in the use of Hydrogen Energy,” Dr Raut announced while addressing the Alternative Fuel Conclave at Pune today.
More EV Charging stations soon
Maharashtra government has appointed MSEDCL under the Energy Department as the nodal agency for setting up EV charging stations. While facilitating private parties to set up such stations, the Energy department
“In order to facilitate the increased use of green energy in the transport sector, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company is proactively taking the initiative to establish the EV charging stations. Even as a part of asset monetization, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company and Maharashtra State Power Generation Company have decided to form JV with Petrol companies to set up EV charging stations on the premises of petrol pumps. If this model is succeeded, the next step would be to increase the number of charging stations in the schools and colleges’ premises, so that students would have easy access to charging,” Dr Raut announced.
“While taking initiatives, care has been taken to keep the electricity charges quite reasonable i.e. Rs 5.50 per unit in daytime use. However, during the night from 10 pm to 6 am the rate will be Rs 4.50 per unit. This shows our sincere commitment to reducing the carbon footprints,” he stressed.
RE Policy may be Amended soon
Recently GoM has formulated Renewable Energy Policy 2020 in which a target of 17360 MW RE power has been set up. But as of now the response is not encouraging due to lack of incentives and therefore RE Policy 2020 is under amendment. In the context I would request GoM must provide requisite support in the form of concession in Electricity Duty and other facilities to the investors so that the State of Maharashtra would top in the country in enhancing the use of green and clean energy. This target would be completed by 2025 reducing carbon footprints. The Telangana State, Andhra Pradesh have realized to enhance the use of RE power on large scale. To enable this, both the states have made adequate budgetary provision.
Conclave at Nagpur
While addressing this conclave, Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray announced that a conclave focussed on “Green Energy” will be organised at Nagpur soon. Welcoming this announcement, Dr Raut suggested holding the conclave on Maharashtra Day in Nagpur.
