State unveils energy action plan, wind resource

Bhubaneswar: The state on Saturday unveiled the Odisha State Energy Action Plan (OSEAP), inaugurated two 150-m wind resource assessment masts in Ganjam and oversaw the signing of agreements for a 125 MW/500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking a major push towards renewable energy and climate-resilient growth. The announcements were made during a stakeholders’ dialogue on Scaling AgriPV in Odisha for Climate-Resilient Growth, organised by GRIDCO and Vasudha Foundation in Bhubaneswar.Deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo launched the OSEAP, unveiled the report Empowering Farmers Through AgriPV and reviewed progress on key renewable energy initiatives. “Odisha’s strength has always come from its land and the people who tend to it. Our farmers are the foundation of the state's prosperity. AgriPV gives that foundation a new dimension, enabling farmers to become active participants in Odisha's clean energy future while continuing agricultural production,” Singh Deo said.Highlighting the state's wind energy ambitions, he added, “The inauguration of the wind assessment masts marks an important step towards harnessing Odisha's wind energy potential and strengthening our commitment to clean and sustainable energy development.” GRIDCO managing director Satyapriya Rath said AgriPV offers a unique opportunity to generate clean energy while enhancing farm incomes. “The energy transition must create value for communities, strengthen rural economies and support climate adaptation. AgriPV sits precisely at that intersection. We have huge patch of farming across Odisha, which will help us in the long run,” he said.Srinivas Krishnaswamy, CEO of Vasudha Foundation, said AgriPV can address both land-use constraints and farmer welfare. “As India pursues ambitious renewable energy targets, AgriPV provides a practical pathway to integrate solar generation with agricultural productivity while creating additional income opportunities for farmers,” he said.The Rs 5,62.5-crore BESS project will be developed across six substations and is expected to be commissioned within 18 months, emerging as one of eastern India's largest utility-scale battery storage deployments.