India, June 16 -- Once known only for recurring droughts and agrarian distress, Dharashiv district in Marathwada is rapidly emerging as Maharashtra's leading hub for wind energy generation, with investments worth over Rs.13,000 crore flowing into the sector.

According to the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA), the state's nodal agency for renewable energy, a total 495 wind power projects with a combined installed capacity of more than 2,179 MW have been planned in the district. Of these, 242 projects with an installed capacity of over 814 MW have been commissioned over the past three years, while the remaining projects are at various stages of implementation.

A MEDA official on condition of anonymity said, "The projects are be...