Bhubaneswar: Odisha took a decisive step towards expanding its clean energy infrastructure as the Energy Department, GRIDCO Limited and knowledge partner iFOREST jointly hosted a high-level stakeholder dialogue in the capital city on Friday.  

The event brought together policymakers, project developers, financiers, and sector experts to fast-track the implementation of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Small Hydro Power Development Scheme (2026–27 to 2030–31). With India tapping only 5,171 MW of its estimated 21,133 MW small hydro potential, the dialogue focused on turning policy guidelines into a concrete, investment-ready pipeline for Odisha.

The newly launched Rs 2,584.60-crore national scheme targets 1,500 MW of new small hydro capacity across roughly 200 projects, supported by Rs 30 crore in Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation funding. Odisha, which holds nearly 11 per cent of India’s surface water resources, aims to leverage this central support to diversify its thermal-heavy generation portfolio.

To enable smooth grid integration, the state government has planned an investment of approximately Rs 16,000 crore, which has recently got approval by state cabinet to expand transmission infrastructure across the state, introducing three new 765 kV networks.

Inaugurating the session, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo highlighted that small hydro projects offer significant environmental and developmental advantages by utilizing existing irrigation canals and water flows without requiring extensive land acquisition.

Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Dev emphasized that the state is actively building the regulatory, financial, and departmental ecosystem necessary to convert raw potential into bankable projects. The event concluded with the signing of a landmark Renewable Energy banking agreement, setting the stage for an official action roadmap focused on priority site selection, streamlined clearances, and community benefit-sharing.

Principal Secretary, FE&CC and CMD OPTCL Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, GRIDCO Managing Director Satya Priya Rath, Director Program Development, iFOREST, Mandvi Singh and other dignitaries attended the dialogue.