Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg, convened a high-level review of the state’s energy department and power sector public sector undertakings in Bhubaneswar on 10 January, 2026.
This session marked her first formal review of the department since assuming office. The meeting included Principal Secretary of the Energy Department Shri Vishal Dev, along with top leadership from OPTCL, GRIDCO, OPGC, and the four TP DISCOMS.
The Chief Secretary established a framework of moral urgency regarding the state’s power infrastructure, emphasizing that the primary objective must be the delivery of affordable, reliable, and high-quality power supply to all citizens while maintaining the financial sustainability of utilities. She underscored the systemic necessity of aligning utility action plans with state development priorities to facilitate a Samruddha Odisha.
A significant portion of the synthesis focused on technical and structural enhancements. Smt. Garg called for the expedited implementation of renewable energy initiatives, specifically highlighting the potential of Pumped Storage Projects and Floating Solar Photovoltaic projects. To address the increasing demand in the capital region, she directed the acceleration of critical transmission infrastructure, including a 765/400 KV substation near Bishnupur.
For regional energy security, the Chief Secretary advised the development of 220 KV ring networks in key economic and administrative hubs such as Keonjhar, Jharsuguda-Sambalpur, and Berhampur-Baliguda.
She further prioritized socio-legal safety and operational efficiency by demanding a reduction in transmission losses and the time-bound implementation of system automation through the STAMS project within one year.
Principal Secretary Shri Dev reiterated the department’s commitment to these technology-driven interventions to meet the state’s long-term energy goals.