Bhubaneswar: A delegation from Grant Thornton Bharat, a leading global consulting firm, met Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, on December 6, 2024, to discuss innovative strategies for enhancing the state’s agriculture and energy sectors.
The meeting, held in the presence of Principal Secretary Energy, Vishal Kumar Dev, and Principal Secretary Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, brought together key officials from both departments and representatives from Grant Thornton Bharat, including Manoj Kharb, Amit Kumar, Ramendra Verma, Padmananda V, and Prasad N.
Grant Thornton Bharat expressed interest in partnering with the Odisha government to introduce cutting-edge solutions in agriculture and energy. The team proposed capacity-building programs focused on best practices in agricultural value chains, the implementation of sustainable cold chain systems, and the monitoring of renewable energy projects.
Additionally, the consulting firm suggested conducting a pilot study on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at 33/11 kV substations to enhance energy storage and distribution efficiency.
The Deputy Chief Minister welcomed the initiative, highlighting the state’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in critical sectors. He emphasized the potential of such collaborations to accelerate Odisha’s progress toward achieving its agricultural and renewable energy goals.
The discussion marked a significant step towards leveraging global expertise to address local challenges, ensuring long-term growth and sustainability for Odisha’s agriculture and energy landscapes.
