MSRTC Unveils 300 MW Solar Plan Aiming for ₹1,000 Crore Annual Revenue

In a major push toward clean energy and financial sustainability, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced plans to develop solar energy projects with a generation capacity of up to 300 MW across Maharashtra. The initiative aims to generate electricity worth approximately ₹1,000 crore annually, making MSRTC not only self-sufficient in energy consumption but also a potential revenue-generating energy producer.

MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik stated that the corporation currently consumes around 15 MW of electricity for depot operations, workshops, and upcoming electric bus charging stations. The proposed solar installations are expected to meet this internal demand and create surplus energy that can be supplied to the grid.

To implement the plan, MSRTC will utilise vacant land parcels, depot rooftops, and workshop spaces for solar farms. The corporation is also considering Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and central government schemes to ensure financial viability.

Currently, MSRTC spends around ₹25–30 crore annually on electricity. Officials estimate that transitioning to solar power could save up to ₹1,000 crore every year, which would be recorded as income rather than expenditure in the future.

Energy experts note that the project could enable solar-powered lighting, digital passenger services, and electric bus charging infrastructure at bus depots. The inclusion of battery storage systems is also being considered to ensure uninterrupted power supply beyond daylight hours.

With this initiative, India’s public transport sector could witness a shift—from being a large electricity consumer to becoming an active contributor to the renewable energy economy. MSRTC’s solar strategy is expected to serve as a model for other state transport undertakings across the country.