Orissa to Implement More Eco-Friendly Renewable Energy Projects

The Government of Orissa has declared its intentions to make use of its huge renewable energy potential.

The government has announced that it will provide electric power to a minimum of 2,000 villages by March 2012 by utilizing solar or other type of renewable energy sources.

According to the officials of the state, a ministry level meeting headed by Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of the state has taken a decision to go ahead with the program of implementing renewable energy sources for power. The state has currently installed solar electrical facility to 395 villages and providing such facilities to other remaining villages is expected to be accomplished by March 2012. A senior representative of its Science and Technology division confirmed the initiative of the state to generate power utilizing wind, solar and biomass. The government has estimated that the state has the capability to produce around 800 MW of wind power and has recognized 22 places all over the state for installing wind turbines and producing power. The government also has plans to allow private investors to install wind turbines and produce power.

The state has identified its potential to generate around 300 MW of biomass power and has already given permission to nine projects to start such production. The first biomass power generation of the state is expected to be functional at Dhenkanal shortly. The Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) has identified the potential of the state to produce 360 MW of power from various mini hydro projects. The agency has quite recently started construction of its small sized projects at Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts to produce 150 MW power.