Bhubaneswar: Odisha has solidified its position as a leader in the clean energy sector following the successful conclusion of the third Odisha Renewable Energy Investor Conclave 2026 in Bhubaneswar. Brain child of ACS Energy and E&IT Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, which accelerated green energy transition.
Organized by the Department of Energy and GRIDCO Limited, with iFOREST as the knowledge partner, the event served as a major platform for policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate the state’s green energy transition. The conclave resulted in the mobilization of approximately 67,000 crore in investments and the signing of five major Memorandums of Understanding aimed at developing 6.8 GW of renewable capacity.
During the inaugural session, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo emphasized Odisha’s commitment to India’s national goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy by 2030. He highlighted the state’s unique geographical advantages, particularly its extensive coastline for wind energy and potential for solar and small hydro projects. To further support this growth, the Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated the state’s first wind resource assessment and launched a city accelerator program covering six cities.
Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, detailed the state’s strategic shift toward system integration. He explained that the objective is not merely capacity addition but ensuring long-term energy security through grid stability. Under his leadership, the department is advancing pumped storage and battery systems alongside traditional renewables. Shri Dev noted that this scale-up is anchored in a comprehensive policy stack and supported by dedicated institutions at both the state and district levels, with a clear focus on industry-led growth.
The conclave showcased a diverse project pipeline, including 5,000 MW of floating solar projects, 18,000 MW of pumped storage across 36 sites, and 500 MWh of battery energy storage systems. Specific agreements were reached with major entities such as NHPC and NEEPCO for pumped storage projects, while BPCL and ABC Cleantech committed to various solar, wind, and green hydrogen initiatives.
Industry experts, including the Managing Director of SECI and the CEO of iFOREST, pointed out that Odisha is poised to become a critical hub for energy storage and renewable expansion in Eastern India. By fostering collaboration between technology providers, financial institutions, and industrial off-takers through specialized technical sessions and business-to-government interactions, the state has demonstrated its readiness to scale clean energy deployment rapidly.