Approval Granted for Hybrid Energy Venture: 100 MW Blend of Hydroelectric and Solar Power at Middle Vaitarna Dam by Maharashtra Administration
In a significant move towards sustainable energy, a hybrid power project is set to begin construction at the Middle Vaitarna Dam in Maharashtra. The project, a joint venture between Shapoorji Pallonji & Company and Mahalaxmi Konal Urja pvt. ltd., will combine hydroelectric and floating solar power, marking Mumbai's first major hybrid renewable energy project.
The project, with a capacity of 100 MW, will be developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has committed to purchasing power at ₹4.75 per unit for 25 years, without any capital investment.
The Middle Vaitarna Dam, completed in 2014, stands 102.4 metres tall and stretches 565 metres in length. It was primarily designed for water supply and potential power applications. The hybrid project integrates the dam's existing hydro infrastructure (20 MW capacity) with a new 80 MW floating solar installation on the reservoir’s surface.
The combined setup is expected to generate approximately 208 million units of electricity annually, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s renewable energy capacity and reducing carbon emissions. The electricity generated will be purchased by BMC, ensuring localized utilization.
The project's timeline includes a 7-month financial closure period, with the actual construction phase, excluding the monsoon season, being 24 months. The project was approved by the State Water Resources Department in 2019, and tenders for the project were invited on February 16, 2021. In April 2025, the project secured final environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The hybrid power project will support renewable energy, in addition to its original purpose of water supply and hydroelectric power generation. During the construction of the dam, a dedicated outlet pipeline was also laid to facilitate both water supply and future hydroelectric power generation.
The electricity from this project will be transmitted via Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited's (MSETCL) existing grid under the Open Access Policy, supported by a new 13-km transmission line from Middle Vaitarna Dam to Igatpuri in Nashik. This initiative is projected to save approximately Rs 12.6 million per year in electricity costs at BMC's Pise-Panjrapur water treatment complex.
In summary, this hybrid project represents a significant advancement in renewable energy harnessing by utilizing both hydro and floating solar generation at Middle Vaitarna Dam, supported by forest land diversion approval and DBFOT-based private sector participation for 25 years of power supply to Mumbai. The project, once completed, will not only support the city's growing energy demands but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for Mumbai.
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- The hybrid power project at Middle Vaitarna Dam represents a significant advancement in finance, energy, and renewable-energy efforts within the industry, as it combines hydroelectric and floating solar power.
- By using a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, the Middle Vaitarna Dam hybrid power project attracts financing for its construction and 25 years of power supply to Mumbai.
- The Middle Vaitarna Dam's hybrid power project, once completed, will generate approximately 208 million units of renewable electricity annually and significantly reduce carbon emissions in Mumbai.
