In a significant step toward strengthening rural power infrastructure and accelerating the transition to clean energy, Odisha achieved a major milestone today. A new 2 MW solar power plant was successfully integrated into TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL)’s distribution network at the 33/11 kV Primary Substation (PSS) in the Bahalada Section of Rairangpur Division, Mayurbhanj district.
The solar facility was inaugurated by Mr. Dushyant Kumar Tyagi, Chief Executive Officer, TPNODL, in the presence of Mr Krushna Chandra Mandal along with senior TPNODL officials, representative from M/s Slnko Pvt. Ltd. and other regional stakeholders.
Spanning six acres, the solar plant was set up under the Government of India’s flagship PM-KUSUM -A Scheme by Mr Krushna Chandra Mandal, a local landowner from Basingi village in Mayurbhanj’s Bahalada block. The project was developed on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis by M/s Slnko Pvt. Ltd. Under the scheme, Shri Mandal has executed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with GRIDCO and TPNODL. This long-term commercial arrangement ensures financial security for Shri Mandal’s family through a steady, multi-decade revenue stream, establishing him as a ‘solar entrepreneur’.
The plant is designed to generate approximately 8,000 units per day under optimal conditions. The entire output will be injected into the TPNODL network through a dedicated 11 kV line. Located at the tail end of the distribution feeder, the plant will play a crucial role in advancing the state’s clean energy mission, improving power quality, and strengthening grid stability for nearly 5,000 consumers in the surrounding region.
Expressing his appreciation, Mr Mandal stated that the project would provide his family with sustainable, long-term secondary income while ensuring reliable power supply to the local community.
In his remarks, Mr Dushyant Kumar Tyagi stated that decentralized renewable energy generation remains essential to driving India’s progress toward a resilient and sustainable energy grid. He emphasized that integrating solar capacity directly at the distribution level reduces dependence on conventional energy sources, facilitates clean energy adoption, minimizes transmission losses, and enhances local grid performance. He further noted that such projects offer a scalable blueprint for state-wide clean energy development.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) -A Scheme, spearheaded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), empowers farmers and landowners to set up grid-connected solar power plants ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW on barren or agricultural land. Beyond ensuring financial security through long-term power sales to state utilities, decentralized tail-end generation reduces transmission losses, addresses low-voltage challenges in remote areas, and supports daytime power availability for domestic and agricultural consumers.
