Open House Discussion on Prospects of Solar Energy

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA - Renewable energy has become an important agenda of India’s energy planning process especially since climate change has taken centre stage in the domestic and international policy arena. In recent years the solar energy technologies has experienced phenomenal growth. The realization of technological improvements, growing public awareness of environmental issues, the economic climate and number of policy instruments have facilitated and sustained this strong interest in these technologies. In this context WTC Bhubaneswar in association with CRUX Power organized an open house discussion on the prospects of Solar Energy in Odisha on 4th February 2017, at Bhubaneswar

Smt. Sasmita Patajoshi, representative of Grid Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO), a Government of Odisha undertaking, opened the discussion by sharing the role played by GRIDCO in the energy sector in Odisha and also highlighted the energy requirements addressed by GRIDCO. While emphasising on the increasing dependency on Renewable Energy with the exertion of the conventional sources, she said that the State has Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd.(GEDCOL) in place to provide one stop solution for all RE related issues & queries. 

Mr.Chandrashekhar Mishra, Managing Director, CRUX Power while presenting his views emphasised the enhanced role to be played by the banks in facilitating finance for the implementation of solar projects given that banks are already mandated to give priority loan to this sector. He also shared the benefits and subsidies available for corporates and societies on adoption of solar energy.

The other discussion points include technical subjects like Net Metering, maintenance challenges with special reference to mining areas, use of solar energy in agriculture and irrigation, ecological impacts on wildlife, types of solar energy generation namely ON GRID- HYBRID & OFF GRID etc. There were few suggestions by the participants such as use of bus stops for roof top solar panels which could serve as a point for e-auto recharge, mandatory implementation in the upcoming buildings (both residential and commercial) and creation of capacity building for increasing awareness amongst the rural masses. 

Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Manager, WTC Bhubaneswar, while welcoming the participants shared the objective of the discussion highlighting the Odisha Solar Policy 2016 which reinstates Odisha’s gross renewable energy potential as 53,820 MW. She also cited that the Economic Survey 2014-15 of the State mentions that the demand for power in Odisha has been rising at a faster rate due to increased emphasis on industrialization and expansion in household electrification. 

The discussion was attended by a cross section of local entrepreneurs and representatives of other leading companies from various sectors including Manufacturing, Logistics, Hospitality Services, Health Services, Agriculture &Food Processing Units, Power, Livelihood Developers, Government Bodies and NGO’s.

In Photo (L-R): Mr. Budhadev Bhanjo, Manager, WTC Bhubaneswar, Mr. Chandrashekhar Mishra, MD, CRUX Power, Smt. Sasmita Patajoshi, DM, GRIDCO, Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Manager, WTC Bhubaneswar.

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