Odisha has set an ambitious goal of having a 53.33% reliance on renewable energy by the fiscal year 2029–30, says MD, HPCL

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, August 29, 2023: The government of Odisha is making remarkable progress in the realm of renewable energy. Presently, the state boasts a contracted capacity of 8,050 megawatts, with the state hydroelectric sector contributing 46% to the overall renewable energy capacity, which aggregates to 8,807 megawatts, says Shri Amresh Kumar, Managing Director, Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd., while speaking at the Annual Conference 2023 Hydropower and Pumped Storage: Critical for Grid Resilience, organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) today in Delhi.

Emphasizing the need for policy reforms in this sector, he said, “However, a challenge persists for Odisha, as only 1% of its power plants currently harness renewable energy sources. This underscores the necessity for policy reforms in this sphere.”

“Odisha has set an ambitious goal of having a 53.33% reliance on renewable energy by the fiscal year 2029–30 in order to boost reliance on renewable energy. The state has already acquired 575 and 352 megawatts from outside states, expanding its supply of renewable energy. To overcome obstacles relating to renewable energy projects and their successful implementation, collaborative efforts and consultations with other states are underway,” he further added.

Shri. Kumar conveyed that despite these challenges, Odisha presents a multitude of opportunities for industries, with an annual growth rate of 8%. He articulated, “The demand for industrial energy in Odisha is growing by 6% annually, underscoring the imperative of transitioning towards renewable energy sources. The state envisions achieving a total capacity of 21.7 gigawatts by 2030, comprising 5.7 gigawatts from renewable energy purchase obligations and 16 gigawatts from captive sources. Odisha has introduced its distinct policy, the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy 2022, which offers incentives and avenues for potential investors interested in Odisha’s renewable energy ventures.”

The conference witnessed many dignitaries from the central and state governments and industry. In his address, Shri Jaideep Bawa, former Chief Engineer (Hydro Planning & Investigation), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), emphasized the importance of continuity of policies for sustained growth.

“We need to have policies that provide consistent support for identified projects. Once a project is identified, proper support is essential for its successful implementation. When we talk about interaction with the industry, they need to point out their issues in the construction of the project. It’s not just about criticism; constructive suggestions are valuable for the creation of a conducive environment for project development, Mr. Bawa said.

Earlier, addressing the conference, Shri M. A. K. P. Singh, Member Hydro and CISO, Ministry of Power (MoP), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), provided insights into the nation’s evolving energy landscape.

We have been adding more thermal capacity in the past few years. Initially, hydro was at its peak, and later on, we leaned towards thermal generation, including rapid gas expansion. However, this led to a slip in capacity addition in the micro sector,” he explained.

“There is an urgent need to add storage capacity,” he asserted, citing the significant role pumped storage schemes play in grid stability. He highlighted their essential services, including grid leveling and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

Others who also spoke during the conference were Shri R. Meenakshi Sundaram, IAS, Secretary (Energy), Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited; Shri Sandeep Singhal, the Managing Director of UJVN Ltd.; Shri Sureshwar Poddar, Chief Consultant (Technical), Hydro Power Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Ltd.; Shri Pura Tupe, Chief Engineer (Development & Planning), Department of Hydropower Development, Arunachal Pradesh; Shri Gagan Agarwal, Managing Director, Sikkim Power Development Corporation Limited; Shri Dinesh Prasad Bhargava, Managing Director, Sikkim Urja Ltd.