The state enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year and an average solar radiation of about 5.3 kWh per square meter
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha has the ability and resources to produce over 200 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy from various sources, including 138 GW from ground-mounted systems and 33.5 GW from floating installations. This information was shared by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability, and Technology (iFOREST) on Monday. During the Odisha Solar Investor Conclave, the organization noted that solar power currently makes up 21 percent of the state’s total renewable energy capacity of 2,938 MW. This includes 508 MW from ground-mounted systems, 58 MW from rooftop installations, and 42 MW from off-grid solar.
The report emphasized that Odisha has significant solar energy potential, exceeding 200 GW across different technologies. The state enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year and an average solar radiation of about 5.3 kWh per square meter. According to the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Odisha can generate 138 GW of ground-mounted solar power by using just 7 percent of its wasteland. The districts of Sundargarh, Angul, Balangir, Jharsuguda, and Dhenkanal have the highest potential for this.
Additionally, there is a possibility of harnessing around 33.5 GW of floating solar energy across 670 square kilometers of suitable water bodies. The state’s buildings can also accommodate up to 10 GW of rooftop solar capacity, as revealed in the findings. The Investor Conclave discussed achieving 7.5 GW of solar capacity by 2030, as part of a broader plan to generate 10.95 GW of renewable energy by that time. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo stated that the state will utilize solar energy across all sectors to advance its renewable energy initiatives.
He emphasized that solar energy is crucial for the state’s development and highlighted the favorable investment environment and strong systems in place to tap into this potential. The Deputy Chief Minister mentioned that the conclave is a step towards the upcoming Utkarsh Odisha 2025, where the state government aims to attract significant investments in the sector.
Energy Secretary Vishal Dev stated that Odisha is on the brink of a major energy shift, and the conclave shows the state’s dedication to clean energy. GRIDCO’s managing director, Trilochan Panda, noted that a significant portion of renewable energy will come from floating solar, rooftop solar, and the PM Kusum scheme shortly.
Chandra Bhushan, president and CEO of iFOREST, expressed that the potential for renewable energy will grow over the next five years. This development will assist states in creating a low-carbon pathway and promote a greener environment and economy.
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