Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Saturday placed its long-term clean power ambitions at the centre stage as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 (GELS 2025) in Puri, outlining the State’s roadmap to emerge as a Green Energy State by 2036. The vision focuses on accelerating renewable energy adoption, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and building resilient energy infrastructure.
Addressing a global gathering of policymakers, industry leaders, and experts, the Chief Minister said energy security is a cornerstone of Odisha’s overall development strategy. Emphasising the importance of uninterrupted power supply, particularly in rural areas, he said the State is making sustained investments in the energy sector to support economic growth and safeguard the future of its youth. “Electricity is a form of critical infrastructure that empowers self-reliance and sustainable progress,” he said.
Describing GELS 2025 as a forward-looking platform, Majhi said the summit brings together stakeholders from governments, industries, research institutions, and the global energy community to jointly design a clear pathway for India’s clean energy transition. He added that energy production and conservation must be prioritised by every state to meet growing demands responsibly.
Reflecting on India’s power sector journey, the Chief Minister noted that frequent outages and power shortages were once widespread, particularly before 2014. He credited policy reforms and infrastructure expansion over the past decade for transforming the sector and driving significant growth in both conventional and renewable energy generation.
Stressing the need for efficient distribution alongside generation, Majhi said Odisha has adopted a long-term strategy to balance growth with sustainability. With thermal power’s share in national generation declining, the State is aligning its policies with India’s net-zero target for 2070. Renewable energy has been accorded priority status in Odisha’s industrial policy, being recognised as a household industry.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi lauded Odisha’s clean energy initiatives and announced the approval of 1.5 lakh solar homes in the State, expected to benefit around eight lakh people. He highlighted India’s sharp rise in solar capacity—from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 130 GW at present—and said Odisha is contributing meaningfully to this transition.
Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, addressing the summit virtually, congratulated Odisha on hosting GELS 2025 and noted that energy transitions require sustained efforts across successive governments, aligning with the summit’s objectives.
Welcoming the delegates, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said the Konark Sun Temple symbolises India’s age-old connection with energy. He outlined Odisha’s goal to achieve large-scale renewable energy adoption across industry and agriculture by 2030 and position itself as a hub for clean energy manufacturing and green hydrogen by 2036.
The summit was attended by Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood, Rajasthan Energy Minister Heera Lal Nagar, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Energy Department Principal Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, along with national and international energy experts.
