Facing an acute power crisis in the state, Maharashtra government said on Monday a non-conventional power project, using tidal waves to generate 15 to 20 kilowatt of electricity, will become operational from next month.

The project, located at Borya and Budhal villages in Ratnagiri and costing Rs 40-45 lakhs (Rs 4 to 4.5 million), will generate power using tidal waves, Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Vinay Kote told the Legislative Council during the Question Hour.

"This is a pilot model project. If proves successful, we will consider a project with a production capacity of 250 kW," Kore said.

Such pilot projects, the research for which was done by a professor of Walchand College in 1996-97, being undertaken in 15 such villages along the coast of Maharashtra, he added.