Peak power demand to rise to 7,023 Mw by 2021-22

On the basis of the survey, the CEA has envisaged the energy requirement of the state to be 42,097mu in 2021-22

The peak power demand of Odisha is projected to rise to 7,023 Mw by 2021-22 as against 5,237 Mw in the current fiscal. To meet this projected demand, the state needs to have installed capacity of 10,505 Mw, according to the 18th Electric Power Survey (EPS) of India.

On the basis of the survey, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has envisaged the energy requirement of the state to be 42,097 million units (mu) in 2021-22.

The peak demand for 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 will be 5,237 Mw, 5409 Mw 5,594 Mw and 5,786 Mw respectively and the energy requirements will be 32,079 mu in 2013-14, 32,895 mu in 2014-15 and 34,683 mu in 2016-17.

Similarly, the state's installed capacity required for 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 has been pegged at 7,833 Mw, 8,091 Mw, 8,367 Mw and 8,655 Mw respectively.

For meeting the surging demand of power, the state government has signed about 29 MoUs with the independent power producers (IPPs) for setting up projects with combined installed capacity of 38,000 Mw. Odisha expects to get about 6,200 Mw from this generation.

So far, three IPPs namely Sterlite Energy, Aarti Steel and Power and GMR Kamalanga Energy have commissioned thermal power plants of 2,800 Mw and supplying the state's share out of it to Gridco. NTPC, the largest power generator in the country, has proposed to set up three projects-3,200 Mw plant at Darlipali in Sundergarh district, 3,200 Mw at Gajamara in Dhenkanal and expansion of 1,320 Mw at its Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS) in Angul.

While the state owned Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) is contemplating expansion of 1,320 Mw at its Ib Valley complex, Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (OTPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), is moving ahead with a power project of 2,400 Mw in Dhenkanal district.

The state government is also in the process to formulate a comprehensive Thermal Power Plant Policy for encouraging the genuine developers.

Among others, the state energy department in its annual action plan under Climate Change Action Plan-2013-14, has stated that the government is encouraging the developers to set up critical power plant for lesser coal consumption and higher plant efficiency.