Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): Odisha successfully inscribed its name as ‘power surplus state’ for having made significant strides towards green energy generation, officials said on Tuesday.
“The average annual power demand of the state stands around 3,200 MW, while Grid Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO) is capable of generating around 4,300 MW of electricity during 2020-21 fiscal,” said managing director of GRIDCO, Trilochan Panda.
Odisha’s total power generation had reached 3,489 MW during financial year of 2019-20, he said.
Reviewing the advancement in energy generation from different sources, Chief Secretary A K Tripathy directed officials to ensure uninterrupted quality power supply to rural areas and the industrial sectors.
He also instructed GRIDCO to take on more efficient commercial strategies for the sale of power.
The chief secretary also directed Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) to look around for the possibilities of producing more green energy from existing dams without giving raise to land acquisition and displacement issues.
The power generation from hydro sources has increased from 695 MW in FY11 to 854 MW in FY20, reflected official reports. As per the reports, generation from non- conventional renewable energy (RE) sources has increased from 664 MW in 2019-20 to 1,079 MW in 2020-21.
Tripathy has enjoined the authorities to enhance the power generation from green sources to 1,500 MW by the next fiscal. Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission has set the RPO (renewable purchase obligation) of the state at 11 per cent for fiscal year 2022.
