Odisha Has Substantial Potential To Become Major Renewable Energy State: New Study

Bhubaneswar: The International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) released a report on Odisha’s renewable energy (RE) potential using the latest data and methodology.

The report titled “Odisha Renewable Energy Potential Re-assessment: Focus on Solar, Wind and Biomass” was released at a meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Energy, Nikunja Bihari Dhal in Bhubaneswar.

Several state government officials and representatives of the renewable energy industry and institutions attended the meeting, a press release from iFOREST said.

“Our report highlights that in contrast to the general perception, Odisha has significant RE generation potential and can emerge as a major RE state. Our research shows that even with modest use of wasteland and reservoir area, Odisha can install over 170 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity. This is six to seven times higher than the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) estimate,” said CEO and President of iFOREST, Chandra Bhushan at the release event.

Moreover, in some districts like Koraput, Malkangiri, Keonjhar, Angul and Keonjhar, the solar potential is as good as states like Karnataka and Gujarat, which are currently dominating the RE industry, he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Nikunja Dhal said, “OREP 2022 is a very ambitious policy. We have given best in class incentives to enable RE in the state. We want Odisha to become a leading player in RE sector. And from the iFOREST report it is clear that there is enough potential in the state to achieve the policy goals and beyond.”

Managing Director of GRIDCO, Trilochan Panda said the partnership with iFOREST is designed to deliver cutting edge research and ensure capacity development of the sector. “We look forward to working together to achieve the goals set under of the OREP, 2022,” he said.

The iFOREST report aims to support RE sector growth in the state, aligned with the objectives of the recently released Odisha Renewable Energy Policy (OREP), 2022. As per the policy, Odisha needs 21,700 megawatts (MW) of new RE capacity by 2029-30 to meet the new renewable purchase obligations (RPO).

Of this, about 16,000 MW is required by industries for captive use and 5,700 MW by the utility. RPO is a central government policy under which all obligated entities, distribution companies, captive power generators and open-access consumers must meet a minimum amount of their electricity requirement through RE, the release said.

The RPO target for 2029-30 is 43.33%. So, in 2029-30, nearly 45% of utility and captive electricity demand in Odisha has to be met from renewable sources.

“Currently, Odisha imports RE from other states to meet its RPO requirements, missing out on the investment opportunity within the state. Our research shows that even if Odisha meets half of its RPO target by installing RE within the state, it would attract an investment of at least Rs 50,000 crores and create almost 200,000 new jobs in the RE sector,” said Mandvi Singh, Programme Lead – Energy, iFOREST.

iFOREST research shows that a full implementation of OREP-2022 is a win-win for Odisha, the release added.