The Odisha Energy Department and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a comprehensive program supporting Odisha’s transition to clean energy.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. This multi-faceted collaboration aims to align planning, technical assistance, pilot deployment, and financing to turn the state’s clean energy ambitions into implementable, measurable outcomes across energy systems and livelihood opportunities.
While addressing stakeholders, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that this MoU formalises a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Odisha’s transition to a resilient, equitable, and investment-ready clean energy future. This will be achieved by aligning technical expertise, policy support, and financing pathways with practical implementation. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing reliable power to all.
Under the MoU, the partners will work together on energy transition planning and grid modernisation. This will help the state develop multi-sector transition plans and enhance utility digitisation to better integrate renewable energy sources. Efforts will also focus on demand-side management measures to optimise consumption patterns and manage peak loads, thereby improving system efficiency and consumer outcomes. A key area of emphasis will be the acceleration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) deployment. The Alliance will support the Department of Energy, GRIDCO, OREDA, and DISCOMs in Odisha by conducting techno-economic feasibility studies, identifying substations, proposing use cases such as peak shifting, renewable integration, and ancillary services, and assisting in the preparation of procurement documentation (RFPs). The partnership will include oversight for implementation, such as a Project Management Unit during commissioning, and assistance in designing performance monitoring frameworks to maximise the technical and economic value of BESS projects.
Additionally, the MoU commits the parties to renewable-led livelihood initiatives. This encompasses facilitating the solarisation of irrigation under PM-KUSUM through state nodal agencies and promoting the Decentralised Energy for Women’s Economic Empowerment (DEWEE) initiative. This initiative will foster grassroots innovation and business models that enable affordable and equitable adoption of decentralised renewable solutions by women-led enterprises. The MoU also includes commitments to support the solarisation of MSMEs and energy efficiency interventions to enhance productivity, lower electricity costs, and expand green livelihood opportunities throughout the state.
The Energy Department will lead the partnership, guiding stakeholder engagement across government entities, industry, academia, and civil society while closely monitoring progress.
Balangir has been selected as a model district by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. Present at the signing were Principal Secretary of Energy Vishal Kumar Dev, CMD of OPTCL Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, and representatives from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.
