Maharashtra Floating Solar Storage Project Takes Shape
Maharashtra has taken a significant step towards integrating renewable energy with water infrastructure by initiating the procurement process for what could become the state’s first floating solar power plant combined with battery energy storage. Planned at the Veer reservoir in Satara district, the project signals a broader shift towards maximising existing public assets to generate clean electricity while improving grid reliability and reducing pressure on scarce land resources. The floating solar project has entered its preliminary market engagement stage after the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from experienced private developers. The proposal envisages an 11-megawatt floating solar photovoltaic facility coupled with a 5.5-megawatt battery energy storage system under a public-private partnership model, with commissioning targeted during the 2028–29 financial year.
Unlike conventional ground-mounted solar parks that require extensive land acquisition, the proposed installation will utilise the surface of the Veer reservoir. Energy experts note that floating solar systems can deliver multiple environmental benefits by preserving agricultural land, reducing evaporation losses from reservoirs and improving panel efficiency through the natural cooling effect of water. The integrated battery storage component represents a key feature of the floating solar project, allowing surplus electricity generated during daylight hours to be stored and supplied during evening peak demand periods. As renewable energy penetration increases across India’s electricity network, storage infrastructure is becoming increasingly important for maintaining grid stability and ensuring reliable power availability when solar generation declines after sunset. The project aligns with Maharashtra’s Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy, which encourages pairing renewable generation with battery systems to strengthen the state’s transition towards low-carbon electricity. Under the proposed framework, the selected private partner will finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the facility under a 25-year Lease-Develop-Operate-Transfer concession, after which the completed assets will return to the public authority.
Electricity generated at the reservoir will be transmitted through the existing state transmission and distribution network using substations at Lonand and Shirwal, enabling integration into Maharashtra’s wider power system without requiring extensive new evacuation infrastructure. Environmental safeguards have also been incorporated into the preliminary project framework. Developers will be required to maintain exclusion zones around critical dam infrastructure, prepare environmental management plans, protect reservoir operations and coordinate with fishing communities to minimise ecological and livelihood impacts. Such provisions reflect the growing emphasis on balancing renewable energy expansion with responsible management of shared water resources. Eligibility conditions require prospective developers to demonstrate experience in floating solar, battery storage or comparable public-private energy infrastructure projects, alongside proven operational capability in renewable energy.
While the EOI does not guarantee the award of a final contract, it marks an important milestone in assessing market readiness for innovative clean energy infrastructure. If successfully implemented, the Veer reservoir initiative could establish a replicable model for combining renewable power generation, energy storage and water resource management across Maharashtra, supporting the state’s long-term energy transition while making more efficient use of existing public infrastructure.
