Bhubaneswar: Minister of state for energy Dibya Sankar Mishra on Wednesday stressed on the need for a change in mindset to move from thermal energy to green energy, which is essential for sustainable power scenario in the future.
Speaking at the “Em Power : FICCI Odisha Energy Summit” organized by FICCI Odisha Council here, the minister said, substantial progress has taken place in power generation in the State ever since independence. Odisha is a power surplus state, but all efforts are being made to make the State energy sufficient as well as energy efficient. Government targets to ensure power supply to each household in the remotest part of the State and make sure that even poorest of the poor get household electricity connection.
Referring to energy production by captive power plants, the minister said its now the time for industries to join hands with the State government in the mission and give back to the society.
State energy secretary Bishnupada Sethi sais that against the annual power requirement of about 3000 megawatt, there is availability of over 4,000 mega watt power, which has made the State power surplus. However, the focus is on producing sufficient green energy and the State government has target to produce annually about 27,000 mega watt of green energy by 2030.
He also informed, a major step towards making Odisha energy efficient state, several reform measures for the power distribution companies are in the pipeline and high-level meetings have been convened recently to discuss the proper framework and targeted outcome of these reforms.
FICCI Odisha Council chairman and IMFA group managing director Subhrakant Panda said, Odisha was a pioneer in electricity sector reforms and even today continues to lead the way. There are challenges but opportunities abound aided by the vision and support of the State government. A balance between hydel, thermal and renewable energy is ideal and, being power surplus, the State is in a position to provide a boost to industrialization and, thereby generate employment while taking care of the less privileged in the society through various schemes.
FICCI co-chairman and CEO of Vedanta Ltd. CN Singh focused on the need for stable power scenario for future in order to ensure all-round development of the state.
Resident director Jindal Steel Ltd. SS Upadhyaya also addressed the Summit.
During the summit many experts in the field of energy and renewable power deliberated on key aspects who included, Ashok Kumar Behera, Chairman, FICCI Odisha Energy Committee, Manas Das, Director (Commercial), Gridco, Priyabrata Patnaik, Director (Regulatory Affairs), OERC, Ashok Choudhury, Joint Director, OREDA, Manoj Singh, Senior General Manager, CESU, Aditya Pyasi, Head, Corporate Strategy of Vedanta Ltd, Kshirod Brahma, CEO of OCPL and Manoj Panda, Marketing Head of FEDCO.
