Renewable Energy Growth and Trends in Maharashtra: An Analysis of Installed Capacity and Energy Generation (2017-2024)

Abstract The transition to renewable energy is essential for achieving sustainable development, mitigating climate change, and reducing dependency on non-renewable energy sources. This study examines Maharashtra's renewable energy (RE) landscape over the period 2017-18 to 2023-24, with a focus on the installed capacities, energy generation contributions, and the comparative growth of RE and non-RE sectors. Utilizing a secondary data analysis approach, data from authoritative sources such as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Renewable Energy Statistics were analyzed to understand trends and transformations in the state's energy ecosystem. The findings reveal significant growth in Maharashtra's renewable energy capacity, with solar and wind power dominating the state’s energy portfolio. Solar power exhibited exponential growth, surpassing wind power in cumulative installations by 2023-24. While the share of renewable energy in Maharashtra’s total energy capacity increased substantially from 27.86% in 2017-18 to 37.99% in 2023-24, non-renewable energy capacity experienced a slight decline. The study highlights the need for diversifying the state’s renewable energy portfolio by tapping into underutilized sources such as bio-power and small hydro. By providing insights into Maharashtra's energy transition, this paper contributes to understanding the challenges and opportunities in achieving a balanced and sustainable energy mix.