Odisha's Ambitious Plan: 185 Sites Identified for Small Hydro Power Projects
Odisha's Hydro Power Initiative
Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha has pinpointed 185 locations for the establishment of small hydroelectric projects, as announced by Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev on Friday.
During a stakeholder dialogue focused on the development of small hydro power in Bhubaneswar, Dev highlighted that Odisha possesses nearly 11% of India's surface water resources, indicating a substantial opportunity for small hydro power generation.
"We have initially identified 185 sites with a combined small hydro power potential of 260 MW, and this figure is expected to increase in the future," he stated.
While the state has made strides in developing large hydro projects, there is now a pressing need to tap into the potential of small hydro power, he emphasized.
The dialogue convened policymakers, project developers, financiers, and industry experts to explore strategies for expediting the implementation of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's (MNRE) Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who inaugurated the session, remarked that small hydro projects provide considerable environmental and developmental advantages, as they can utilize existing irrigation canals and water flows without necessitating extensive land acquisition.
According to officials, India has so far harnessed 5,171 MW of its estimated 21,133 MW small hydro potential.
The recently introduced national scheme, valued at Rs 2,584.60 crore, aims to create 1,500 MW of new small hydro capacity through approximately 200 projects. It also allocates Rs 30 crore for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
Officials noted that Odisha intends to leverage this central support to diversify its predominantly thermal-based power generation portfolio.
To ensure the seamless integration of additional power into the grid, the state government has planned an investment of around Rs 16,000 crore to enhance its transmission infrastructure.
The state cabinet has recently approved this initiative, which includes the development of three new 765-kV transmission networks.