New Delhi: Odisha has the potential to produce solar (Photovoltaic) energy of 169 giga watts (GW) as per a report of International Forum for Environment, Sustainability, and Technology (iFOREST), a New Delhi-based think tank.
This was informed by Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power, R K Singh in Rajya Sabha today.
Replying to a question of BJD MP Amar Patnaik, the Union Minister said as per the solar potential assessment report prepared by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the solar potential of Odisha has been estimated at 25.78 GW.
On measures taken by the Central Government to support all states including Odisha in enhancing the state’s solar energy infrastructure, he said the Centre has permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route and waived off inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025.
Trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30 has been declared, he said.
The Ministry has also taken steps to provide land for setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale.
Similarly, schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc. have been undertaken, Singh said.
New transmission lines laid and new substation capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme have been created for evacuation of renewable power. For attracting and facilitating investments, Project Development Cell has been set up, he informed.
Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) launched to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges. Moreover, the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched with an aim to make India a global hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, the Union Minister added.
While the MNRE estimates assume using 3 percent of wastelands for renewable setups, iFOREST recommends utilisation of 10-50% of the different categories of wastelands including mining wasteland, industrial wasteland, lands with open scrub and dense scrub, rocky/stony land, which, has low ecological significance, the iFOREST said.
These areas alone, the report said, have the potential to generate 149 GW of solar energy which is around 88% of the total estimated solar energy potential of the state. It noted that 2,973 km² of ‘wastelands’ have the potential of being utilised for solar generation, it said.
