Naveen-led Odisha government is expected to take the state forward promising several schemes and MoUs ahead of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. If the announcement made by state energy minister Arun Sahu is to be believed, Odisha would be power surplus state in 2014. It suggested that the state will not face power crisis any more.
Youth icon Arun Sahu has probably understood the feelings of common people and suffering of students during exam period. Therefore, he is all set to make Odisha as the power surplus state next year – the election year that would decide the fate of the ruling BJD. However, people should take the advantage of the developmental programmes and policies. It would bring cheer on millions of faces, if some power plants will start generation of electricity as per the MoUs signed by the government.
The minister informed the House on March 8 during the debate on the demand for grants of the Energy Department that 8 to 10 will start generation in Odisha out of 29 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed for setting up power plants.
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Apart from the MoUs, the state is expected to get 50 per cent of electricity from third and fourth units (2×660 MW) of Odisha Power Generation Corporation during 12th Five Year Plan. Also Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited is planning to set up proposed 3×800 MW thermal power plants near Kamakshanagar. Another power plant of 2×800 MW will be set up by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) near Darlipali.
Odisha, which has been facing power crisis for the last two to three years, is also expected to get 1,300 MW from the ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in Sundargarh and several other plants will also start power generation during the 13th Five Year Plan. If the projects will be implemented in time as per the announcement, the state will be able to export power to other states after meeting its requirement.
Besides, the government is also eyeing to generate power from small reservoirs, solar and wind by setting up Green Energy Development Corporation (GEDCOL). The state targets to generate 500 MW green power during next five years.