Bhubaneswar: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) today inaugurated the ‘Eastern India Clean Energy Summit’ with the theme ‘Powering Eastern India’s Net-Zero Transformation’ at Hotel Swosti Premium in Bhubaneswar, marking a pivotal moment in Odisha’s development journey. The summit saw strong commitments from the Government of Odisha, outlining a clear roadmap for the state’s clean energy future.
The inaugural session was graced by senior government officials and industry leaders, all underscoring Odisha’s strategic push to become a clean energy hub. The event’s focus on clean energy and its successful execution were strongly attributed to the leadership of Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, Chairman, Odisha State Development Council, ASSOCHAM & Chairman and Managing Director, MGM Group, who delivered the Welcome Address and set the stage for the crucial discussions.
Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister, Energy & Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, declared in his address that the state aspires to have 11 GW green energy capacity by 2030. He announced the recent approval of 53 green energy projects of around 2000 MW worth ₹13,422 crore. Furthermore, he revealed that the state is providing up to ₹60,000 additional financial assistance per household for the PM Surya Ghar Mukt Bijli Yojana, over and above the Centre’s support, targeting 3 lakh households. Addressing key challenges, alternative options like rail and canal-top solar projects are being considered for land availability.
Industry Minister Shri Sampad Chandra Swain emphasized that Odisha is entering a new era of growth defined by clean energy and modern manufacturing. He highlighted the benefits of the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy 2022, which offers long-term waivers on electricity duty, wheeling charges, cross-subsidy surcharge, and land fees for green hydrogen & green ammonia projects. He noted that 16 major green hydrogen and green ammonia projects worth over ₹2 lakh crore have already been approved, with major investors including JSW, ReNew, Avaada, Waaree, Ampin, ACME, Welspun, Sembcorp, L&T Energy Greentech, INOX Wind, Himadri, and Quant Solar.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Information & Public Relations) Sri Hemant Sharma, said that while Odisha contributes approximately 3% to India’s GSDP, its share in the national carbon footprint is around 6%, stressing the immense value of green energy in the state. Dr. Prabodh Mohanty, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Odisha Mining and Steel Council, reinforced this, stating that Odisha’s clean energy journey is a necessity for meeting global supply chain demands as a powerhouse of minerals and metals.
Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, announced a major investment plan, stating that by 2035, the state needs ₹30,000 crore investment for transmission capacity enhancement, with ₹25,000 crore required in the next 5 years.
The event featured a Knowledge Report Address by Shri Somesh Kumar, Partner and Head (Power & Utilities), Ernst & Young, which culminated in the release of the ASSOCHAM-EY Knowledge Report titled “Odisha Energy Transition – Chariots of Change.”
The summit served as a powerful platform to showcase Odisha’s robust policy framework, investment opportunities, and firm commitment to leading Eastern India’s net-zero transformation. The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Perminder Jeet Kaur, Senior Director – East & Northeast, ASSOCHAM.