Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government held discussions with the global energy team of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change to explore strategies for strengthening the state’s energy sector and advancing its transition towards cleaner and sustainable power.
The delegation met Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, where key priorities and emerging opportunities in the energy sector were deliberated. The team, led by Vivek Agrawal, is working closely with the state’s Energy Department to develop a comprehensive strategy aligned with Odisha’s long-term vision for 2036 and 2047.
During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state, including policies on pumped storage, renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, aimed at accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems.
He emphasised the need to focus on cleaner energy adoption while ensuring reliable power supply across domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. Stressing Odisha’s position as a leading energy state, Singh Deo noted that future planning must also consider emerging areas such as nuclear energy and green hydrogen.
The TBI team included Gareth Walsh, Global Director (Energy & Climate), Pierre Noel, Senior Advisor for Asia (Energy), and Amar Jyoti Mahapatra, Strategic Communications Adviser.
Debi Dutta Tripathy, FA-cum-Special Secretary of the Energy Department, informed that consultations with various stakeholders have already been conducted in coordination with the TBI team to ensure a streamlined and cohesive approach for implementing the state’s energy strategy.
Officials said the collaboration is expected to help Odisha strengthen its energy infrastructure, improve coordination among stakeholders and accelerate its transition towards a sustainable and future-ready energy ecosystem.
At the end of the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister also presented the visiting members with a book on the Men’s One-Day Cricket World Cup as a token of appreciation.