Odisha Partners with Tony Blair Institute for Innovative Clean Energy Solutions

Collaboration for Clean Energy Initiatives

Bhubaneswar: On Thursday, Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo engaged with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in New Delhi, where they formalized a tripartite Letter of Intent (LoI) aimed at enhancing clean energy initiatives and collaborative policy development.

The agreement was established between the Odisha Energy Department, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), with both Singh Deo and Blair present.

As part of the agreement, Odisha will spearhead the creation of a 'community of practice' involving energy ministers from various Indian states. A conference for these ministers is scheduled to take place in Odisha later this year.

Blair praised Odisha's innovative strides in electricity sector reforms and recognized the state's success in attracting substantial investments in renewable energy over the past year, as noted in the LoI.

Singh Deo reaffirmed the state's dedication to a low-carbon future and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. He stated, 'The state will adopt a strategic approach aligned with the best international standards.'

The meeting also addressed the issue of distress migration, particularly from the western regions of Odisha.

The Tony Blair Institute has been instrumental in assisting the Odisha government in developing its Artificial Intelligence Policy, which has already received cabinet approval.

Vivek Agarwal, TBI's country director for India, remarked that Odisha's leadership in energy and technology is setting a new standard for other Indian states.