Odisha Cuts Down Carbon Emission By 30 MT, Thanks To OREDA

Bhubaneswar: The state government is planning to upscale the use of solar and other renewable energies in domestic, private and government sectors.

In this context, the government has formed a committee to work out the plan to adopt the latest technologies as well as enhance the use of solar-powered machines and devices.

Development Commissioner Pradeep Jena will head the multi-departmental panel. It will comprise officials from the departments of Energy, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Horticulture, Health and Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Water Resources, Fisheries and Animal Resource Development, Handlooms and Textiles and Finance.

This was decided at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra.

The meeting also reviewed the performance of Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) regarding the generation and use of solar power in different sectors.

OREDA Chief Executive Dhananjay Swain informed that the agency has been able to reduce carbon dioxide emission of more than 30 MT by July 2021.

This is due to four lakh renewable energy installations are serving around 5.5 million people across the state.

The major installations include 1,163 rooftop solar projects with total capacity of 12.3 MW power, Swain said.

Besides, OREDA has installed 2.44 lakh biogas plants, 13,219 solar-powered drinking water projects, 1,687 solar irrigation pumps and 18,122 improved solar cook stoves.

The agency also helped in electrification of 2,903 villages and has distributed 82,033 solar lanterns.