Odisha: Focus on green energy in Renewable Energy Policy 2022-30

BHUBANESWAR, Odisha: Keeping in mind the resolution of the Government of Odisha to draft a new Renewable Energy policy for 2022-30, the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) on Tuesday, August 24, started a dialogue to prepare a roadmap stressing green energy and jobs.

The current Renewable Energy Policy, which was introduced in the year 2016, will lapse this year. The policy aimed to increase the installed renewable energy capacity of the state to 2,750 MW, however, only 617 MW has been achieved, which is a mere 25 per cent of the estimated target.

The state of Odisha is dependent on the other states for the import of renewable energy like solar and wind to meet the terms outlined in its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) as per the guidelines of the Government of India. According to the RPO, the state is supposed to meet 11.5 pc of its electricity demand through renewable energy for the fiscal year 2022-23. The target will reach 43.33 pc by 2029-30.

Chandra Bhushan, President and CEO, iFOREST, noted that “there is a general misconception that Odisha doesn’t have RE potential. An analysis shows that the State has large RE potential that needs an innovative policy to unlock. The new RE policy should be 30 GW of renewable energy by 2030.”

The renewable energy sector in the state is facing stagnation due to a multitude of commercial and institutional challenges which can only be addressed using innovative policy solutions, better incentives and procurement techniques.

Madhavi Singh, Programme Lead (Energy and Climate Change), iFOREST, noted, “Odisha should involve farmers and landowners in RE development. Generation of green energy should be encouraged on water bodies and wastelands like abandoned mines besides rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy to generate income and jobs.”