Bhubaneswar: With industrial activity expected to expand significantly over the next five years, Odisha is preparing a major upgrade of its electricity transmission network, including new high-capacity substations and transmission lines, to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply by 2030.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the State’s power infrastructure and upcoming projects at a meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on Thursday and directed the Energy Department to align capacity expansion with the State’s future electricity requirements.
The government estimates that around 590 industrial projects could come up in Odisha by 2030-31. To meet the additional demand generated by these projects and cater to existing and future consumers, power infrastructure projects involving an investment of around Rs 16,000 crore are planned.
During the review, officials informed the Chief Minister that Odisha currently has 210 operational grid substations, with 15 new substations added during the last two years. The State has also added 788.99 circuit kilometres of transmission lines during the same period.
A key focus of the expansion is the development of a 765 kV grid ring system, which is expected to strengthen the transmission network and improve the reliability of electricity supply to both consumers and industries.
Two 765/400 kV grid stations at Angul and Sundargarh are already operational. Grid stations of the same capacity are under construction at Gopalpur and Paradip, while three more are planned near Kolabira, Duburi and Betakholi near Athagarh.
The State’s 400 kV transmission network is also set for substantial expansion. Odisha currently has five 400 kV grid substations, with four under construction and two at the tender stage. The government has further planned nine additional 400 kV substations.
Majhi emphasised that the expansion of the transmission network must keep pace with Odisha’s rapid industrialisation and growing power consumption. He directed officials to focus on strengthening infrastructure in regions where demand is expected to rise sharply.
The government is also undertaking modernisation of existing grid infrastructure to improve efficiency and increase transmission capacity. Officials said the combination of new substations, transmission lines and modernisation would create greater capacity to handle the State’s future electricity requirements.
The planned investments are expected to support industrial growth while improving the quality and reliability of power supply for households, businesses and other consumers.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for timely execution of the projects so that Odisha has adequate transmission infrastructure in place to support its development plans up to 2030 and beyond.
Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Development Commissioner D K Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswat Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Vishal Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma and other senior officials attended the review meeting.
