Odisha is Able to Meet Average Peak Power of 4,500 – 5,000 MW Conveniently: Energy Minister

Bhubaneswar: In order to provide 24×7 quality and reliable power supply to all consumers, Energy Department has been taking several measures in power generation, transmission and distribution sectors. OPGC added 1,320 MW to its capacity in 2019 to ensure energy security for the State. With the present generation capacity of ~7920 MW, the state is able to meet the average peak power of around 4,500 – 5,000 MW conveniently. The T&D infrastructure has grown commensurately with the increase in consumer numbers as well as the growing demands of the industrial & service sectors, said Pratap Keshari Deb, Minister Energy while addressing the Press today at Geeta Gobinda Sadan.

Giving a detailed note on the Budget 2023-24 Minister Deb said that the transmission system availability is more than 99.9% in last 10 years. Provisions have been made in the Budget to address low voltage issues in few pockets of the last mile consumers. We have launched a new Renewable Energy Policy during MIO, 2022. Budgetary provisions have been to implement that Policy. In this budget, Rs.50 crore has been provided for Green Energy Evacuation Corridor (new scheme). Another Rs.50 crore has been provided for Odisha Renewable Energy Development Fund (new scheme). We have kept a target of more than 10,000MW RE generation capacity addition in the state by 2030. The Budget has contemplated two umbrella schemes, namely, “Chief Minister’s Power Development Program (CMPDP)”– allocation Rs.1,446.50 Crore and “Chief Minister’s Energy Conservation Program (CMECP)”–allocation Rs.272.60 crore by consolidating ongoing schemes & proposed new schemes. Budget allocation for the major components of CMPDP like ODSSP Rs.832.5 Crore, for SCRIPS Rs.364.98 crore, for DRPS Rs.100 crore and for Green Energy Evacuation Corridor is Rs.50 crore (new scheme).

More than 100 number of 33/11 KV sub-stations shall be commissioned by March 2024 to improve the voltage in low voltage pockets. For ensuring Disaster resilient power infrastructure, schemes like Radial to Ring Conversion Project (RRCP Phase-II), State Capital Region Improvement of Power System (SCRIPS), Disaster Resilient Power System (DRPS Phase-II) are planned for implementation and a budget provision of Rs. 477 crore has been kept collectively. Under the CMECP, a budget provision of Rs.250 crore has been made for Household Energy Efficiency Program (new scheme) with an objective of promoting use of energy efficient home/ household appliances.

About 1,000 Energy Clubs are actively operating in schools as part of energy conservation & energy efficiency awareness program. It is proposed to have such clubs in all high schools. The Department also continued with its flagship program Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana (BGJY) with provision of Rs.150 crore for 2023-24 to electrify all left over households by August 2023. It is relevant to mention that Rs.415 crore has already been provided to the DISCOMs for providing electricity to the left over habitations & households after closure of SAUBHAGYA in 2021. In order to prevent electrocution of elephants, a budget provision of Rs.50 crore is kept in 2023-24 under Elephant Corridor Scheme. Rs.690.2 crore has already been allocated so far for strengthening of electrical infra.

Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Additional Chief Secretary to Energy Department said that GRIDCO is supplying bulk power to DISCOMs at an average price of Rs.3.12/unit (FY 2022-23), which is one of the lowest in the country. GRIDCO’s financial sustainability is critical to energy security of the State. GRIDCO’s outstanding liability as on 31.12.2022 is about Rs.6,500 crore. Hence Govt. has started providing soft loan to GRIDCO at 5 percent per annum interest rate & 5 years moratorium period. Rs.700 Crore soft loan has been provided during FY 2022-23. Rs.700 crore has been proposed for FY 2023-24. Rs.138 crore is allocated to to OPGC and Rs.100 Crore to OPTCL as Equity support. Total Budget Estimate of Energy Department is Rs.3,002.53 Crore (Program- Rs.2,954 crore, Administration- Rs.48.53 crore). All these measures would help in keeping the retail tariff low, facilitate growth of industry & economy and improve the quality of life of our people, said ACS Dhal. Gurbeer Singh, Joint Director, I&PR coordinated the press conference. Senior officials from Energy Department and media personnel were present in the press meet.