‘Want Odisha to emerge as hub for renewable energy; Konark temple to be solar powered’

With a vast coastline and other natural resources, Odisha is certainly on the watch list of several investors. Apart from this, the Centre is also extending a helping hand to the state for maximum utilisation of the resources in the larger interest of the nation and its people, said Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Friday.

The Union Minister said that there is tremendous scope for Odisha in the renewable energy sector and the Centre wants the state to become the hub of renewable energy.

While addressing the valedictory session of the two-day Chintan Shivir organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Union Minister said that the Centre is also exploring the scope of green hydrogen production in the state. 

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“Odisha has immense renewable energy potential, with 140 GW of solar capacity and significant opportunities in green hydrogen, owing to its long coastline and port infrastructure. The Centre aims to develop Odisha as a major hub for renewable energy and explore the scope of green hydrogen production in the state. The potential for floating solar panels in Odisha will also be explored,” stated Joshi.

The Union Minister also informed that an agency has begun the work for setting up a 6,000 MW manufacturing capacity for the production of solar modules, solar cells and ingot-wafer with an expected investment of around Rs 9,000 crore at Dhenkanal district of the state.

Another agency is setting up 1,000 MW manufacturing capacity for the production of solar modules and cells, at Infovalley-II, in Bhubaneswar with an expected investment of around Rs 730 crore. The world famous Sun Temple at Konark is also all set to be solar-powered, official sources said.

During his address, Joshi also announced that a dedicated task force with all stakeholders will be set up by the MNRE in collaboration with the Ministry of Power to achieve the goal of 500 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.