New Delhi: Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, chaired the Odisha Renewable Energy Roundtable in New Delhi on November 22, 2024. Organized by the Society for Legal and Policy Research and Idam Infrastructure Advisory Pvt. Ltd., the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges in Odisha’s renewable energy landscape.
The conference was attended by 34 delegates from over 23 companies operating in sectors such as solar energy, wind energy, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and waste-to-energy. Discussions revolved around creating a competitive policy framework to attract private investment and expedite project implementation, with the Odisha State Renewable Energy Policy, 2022 serving as a focal point.
In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to contributing to India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. He highlighted the state’s vast potential, including an estimated 140 GW of solar capacity and promising opportunities in green hydrogen. Singh Deo also noted that the state’s renewable energy policy is under review, with efforts directed at improving the investment climate, managing risks, and safeguarding consumer interests.
Sanjay Sen, Senior Advocate representing the Society for Legal and Policy Research, emphasized the importance of aligning Odisha’s renewable energy policies with market realities to support investment decisions while maintaining a long-term vision that benefits both investors and electricity consumers. He also stressed that Odisha’s renewable energy initiatives hold significant promise not only for the state but for the national green energy basket.
Balawant Joshi, Managing Director of Idam Infrastructure Advisory Pvt. Ltd., introduced the regulatory landscape of Odisha, while Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO of ReNew, applauded Odisha’s efforts to transition from thermal energy to clean energy. Sinha also provided updates on ReNew’s green hydrogen projects in the state, showcasing Odisha’s growing importance in India’s clean energy ecosystem.
Several industry leaders shared their insights, highlighting key areas for improvement. They called for addressing transmission constraints, smoother land allotments, and competitive tariffs to incentivize private sector involvement. Industry representatives also urged the state to amend provisions in its renewable energy policy, such as allowing self-identified pumped storage projects, providing higher exemptions for electricity duty and wheeling tariffs, and removing limits on cumulative banking under state regulations.
The conference underscored Odisha’s strategic position as a clean energy leader, with its renewable energy resources offering significant benefits to both the state and the broader national grid. The discussions marked a pivotal step toward aligning policies with market demands and fostering greater collaboration between the government and private sector to achieve sustainable development and decarbonization goals.