Mumbai, June 24: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clarified that the Grid Support Charge has been introduced to ensure that the additional burden created on the electricity grid due to the increasing use of solar energy does not fall on ordinary power consumers. He stated that the charge applies to only 0.13 percent of consumers and does not represent a loss, but merely a limited reduction in the additional profits earned by a small category of users.
Speaking in the Legislative Council during a discussion on electricity tariffs and taxation, the Chief Minister said the Grid Support Charge has been in effect since February 1, 2016, and has not been imposed retrospectively. He also noted that the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has initiated fresh hearings after concerns were raised regarding certain calculations involving ₹40,000 crore.
Fadnavis informed the House that smart meters have been installed across all feeders in the state, ensuring accurate electricity consumption data. He highlighted that Maharashtra’s industrial electricity tariff of ₹8.19 per unit for 2025-26 is lower than that of several other states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said electricity demand in Maharashtra has increased by 20 percent over the last two years, reflecting strong industrial growth and investment. He further stated that the state aims to raise the share of renewable energy in total power generation from 15 percent in 2022 to 52 percent by 2029-30, with renewable energy projects totaling 38,000 MW currently under development.
Fadnavis added that the government is willing to hold further discussions with solar power producers regarding the Grid Support Charge and Time-of-Day (TOD) policy, while ensuring minimal financial burden on common consumers. He also highlighted Maharashtra’s leadership in solar agricultural pump installations, accounting for nearly 60 percent of such installations in the country.
