Tata Power arm undertakes solar microgrid project in Odisha

The project will benefit 255 persons in Baliapal village with uninterrupted power

Industrial Energy Limited (IEL), a joint venture between Tata Steel and Tata Power, has set up a solar microgrid project that would ensure uninterrupted power for 255 persons of Baliapal village, Kalinganagar in Odisha's Jajpur district.

Vijayant Ranjan, chief executive officer of IEL and chief Kalinganagar station, said: "A major part of rural India is still deprived of electricity, which is crucial for meeting socio-economic goals and overall human development. This microgrid project undertaken by Tata Power will ensure reliable power for the villagers and contribute towards the government's objective of rural electrification."

"Renewable energy sources and technologies have the potential to provide solutions to longstanding energy problems being faced by villages in India. We would like to thank the villagers from Baliapal for extending and support and making this project a success," Ranjan added.

The project will be managed by the village development committee (VDC), consisting of 20 persons, including women representatives. The process of setting up the rural microgrid project consist of various stages which include identification of village, consent from villagers for 10 per cent contribution, VDC formation and installing the project.

A microgrid is particularly a portion of the power distribution system that comprises distributed generation, energy storage and loads. Microgrids are robust in controlling the local voltage, frequency, and protecting the network and equipment connected to it. This is first of its kind project in Odisha where the community has contributed 10 per cent of the total project cost and the balance 90 per cent is given by IEL.