Bhubaneswar: Around 590 industrial projects are expected to come up in Odisha by 2030-31. To meet the electricity requirements of these industries as well as other consumers, the State plans to implement power projects worth around ₹16,000 crore. This was revealed during a review meeting of the Energy Department chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday. 

The projects are expected to strengthen the power network, improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply and support the State’s industrial growth.

The review meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, highlighted Odisha currently has 210 operational grid substations, including 15 new substations established over the past two years. During the same period, 788.99 circuit km of transmission lines have been laid across the State.

Majhi stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply to people in every part of Odisha by 2030.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a 765 kV grid ring system aimed at ensuring reliable power supply to consumers and meeting the growing electricity requirements arising from rapid industrialisation.

Two 765/400 kV grid substations are currently operational at Anugola and Sundargarh, while two more of the same capacity are under construction at Gopalpur and Paradip.

The State also plans to construct three additional 765/400 kV substations at Kolabira, Duburi and Betakhole near Athagarh as part of the proposed grid network.

According to the review, Odisha currently has five 400 kV grid substations. Four more 400 kV substations are under construction, while two projects are at the tender stage. The government has also planned nine additional 400 kV grid substations.

The meeting noted once these projects are completed and commissioned, the State’s power transmission infrastructure will be significantly strengthened and help address electricity requirements.

The government is also undertaking modernisation of existing grid infrastructure.

Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shaswat Mishra, Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma and other senior officials attended the meeting.