Shirdi Prepares to Become Maharashtra's First Solar-Powered Town

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA-Mahaurja), and the Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) in Shirdi have announced an agreement to convert the temple town into a ‘solar city'. The Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust plans to establish a solar plant on its accessible land to fulfill its energy needs. Moreover, the power requirements of the rest of the temple town will be fulfilled by a solar plant that will be built on government land.

“A high-level meeting took place in Mumbai involving the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA-Mahaurja), and the Shree Saibaba Sansthan Trust. It was agreed that the solar plant would be responsible for generating power for the entire town of Shirdi. The three organizations will collaborate to ensure that residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, along with public services, government entities, and agricultural organizations in Shirdi, receive power generated solely through sustainable methods”, said Deepak Kumthekar, the chief engineer of MSEDCL for the Nashik zone.

“Shirdi will become the first town in Maharashtra to be powered by solar energy. According to the agreement, the Trust aims to achieve a ‘zero’ energy bill at the temple and other facilities it operates, including Bhakta Niwas (pilgrims’ hostels), hospitals, and more”, said chief executive officer Gorakshanath Gadilkar. To begin with, a solar power plant will be established on 42 acres of land owned by the SSST. The energy produced will be utilized by the temple.

The excess power generated from the solar plants will be sold to MSEDCL. Mahaurja will assist the SSST by providing its expertise in developing the necessary infrastructure. 

Overall, the project will require approximately 125 acres. Agricultural consumers in the town will be transitioned to the Nimgaon solar-powered sub-station, making sure that the entire town operates on solar energy, the officer added. According to MSEDCL officials, the entire procedure could take at least three years, depending on the availability of land and the initiation of the project.

“In total, there are 10,901 consumers in the town, including the temple, and the overall power demand is 50 MW. Currently, 4 MW of power is being produced through various solar power plants. The new power plants will be established on land provided by the SSST as well as on land that will be requested from the government,” added another senior officer from MSEDCL.