Odisha to Develop their 2,000MW Hydro Potential

Odisha will set up a dedicated public sector company, Green Energy Development Corporation, to provide focused attention to developing small hydro power projects in the state, quoted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“We have developed several hydro power plants in the state with an installed capacity of about 2,100 MW. Of late, the ratio of hydro power in the mix of power is reducing because the demand for power is ever increasing and development of hydro power resources has not been possible to the desirable extent,” Patnaik said.

“In order to have a positive power mix of hydro and thermal sources, our government is now giving more emphasis on development of…hydro power…, of course without compromising environmental adverse impacts, including submergence and displacement,” he added.

Patnaik said there are about 12 sites in the state where medium and major hydro power projects are feasible with a capacity of about 2,000 MW. In order to minimise displacement and submergence of forest and habitations, the state government is planning to take up projects with lesser capacity.

“We have identified such projects and started working on them. There is huge potentiality for developing small hydro electric projects as run off the river projects in several locations of the state,” he said.

“Development of such hydro power sources does not involve much of submergence and displacement. Besides, these projects can harness power within a period of 18-30 months,” the chief minister pointed out. Patnaik said Odisha is blessed with abundant water resources – 11% of the country’s water resources.