MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Government would come out with a new policy to support generation of energy from renewable sources with a special emphasis on solar power, Governor K Shankaranarayanan said on Thursday. At the same time, he also revealed that energy projects with capacity totalling over 8,000 MW are underway which would help Maharashtra becoming “load shedding free” by 2012.

Addressing the joint session of Maharashtra Legislature on the first day of the budget session, Shankaranarayanan said: “The government is fully committed to support generation of energy from renewable sources, including solar power, for which a new policy is being formulated.”

He also pointed out that his government has taken a decision to provide solar lamps in Community Study Units in the villages. Under this scheme, 90% of the cost would be borne by the Government and only 10% of the expenditure has to be borne by the Zilla Parishads.

As far as enhancing the generation plans from conventional sources, he said that work for a total of 3680 MW generation capacity at Bhusawal, Dhopave and Dondaicha and a unit of 1220 MW gas based Combined Cycle Power Project at Uran through public-private participation is soon expected to be initiated. Projects to establish Thermal Power generation capacity of 3480 MW are under implementation at Paras, Parli, Bhusawal and Chandrapur through MAHAGENCO.

Shankaranarayanan said that the government has adopted a policy of developing hydel projects through private participation. So far the Nira-Deoghar Hydel Project of 6 MW installed capacity has been completed. Two other projects with a total installed capacity of 11.5 MW are nearing completion.