Bhubaneswar: In a major push toward clean energy transformation, the Energy Department of the Government of Odisha is organizing a Stakeholder Dialogue on the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme on September 11, 2026. Spearheaded by Shri Vishal Dev, Additional Chief Secretary of Energy and E&IT, the initiative places Odisha at the forefront of the state’s transition to sustainable energy infrastructure.
The high-level event brings together key state and national clean energy institutions, including Gridco Odisha, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited, the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited, and iFOREST.
Small Hydro Power projects, which range from 1 to 25 megawatts, provide a stable and decentralized source of clean power. Compared to mega hydro ventures, these smaller facilities offer a significantly smaller environmental footprint, lower ecological disruption, and a drastically reduced development lifecycle.
Currently, India’s total estimated Small Hydro Power potential stands at 21,133.61 MW, though only about 5,171 MW has been operationalized nationally. Odisha holds a substantial portion of this untapped potential, presenting a critical opportunity to expand green energy coverage through strategic policy updates and targeted investment frameworks.
The upcoming dialogue aims to bring together project developers, financial entities, regulatory bodies, and industry analysts to build an actionable, investment-ready action plan tailored for Odisha. Discussions will focus on clearing technical hurdles, streamlining regulatory steps, and establishing viable financing structures to accelerate Small Hydro Power deployment across the state.