Bhubaneswar: The Energy Department of Odisha and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) on Monday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fast-track the state’s clean energy transition. The agreement, executed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, outlines a comprehensive collaboration covering planning, technical support, pilot deployments, and financing facilitation.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Minister said the partnership formalises a long-term strategic effort to steer Odisha toward a “resilient, equitable, and investment-ready clean energy future” by aligning technical know-how, policy support and financing pathways with on-ground action. “We are committed to providing reliable power to all,” he reaffirmed.
Under the MoU, Odisha and GEAPP will jointly work on energy transition planning, grid modernisation and multi-sector transition strategies. This includes advancing utility digitisation, improving demand-side management, and enhancing peak-load and consumption optimisation for better system efficiency and consumer outcomes.
A key pillar of the partnership is the accelerated rollout of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across the state. GEAPP will assist the Energy Department, GRIDCO, OREDA and DISCOMs with techno-economic feasibility studies, identification of suitable substations and use cases—such as peak shifting, renewable integration and ancillary services—and preparation of procurement documents including RFPs. The collaboration also includes implementation oversight through a dedicated Project Management Unit and support in designing performance monitoring frameworks to ensure maximum technical and economic returns from BESS installations.
The MoU further advances renewable-led livelihood initiatives. These include solarisation of irrigation under PM-KUSUM, promotion of the Decentralised Energy for Women’s Economic Empowerment (DEWEE) programme to support women-led enterprises adopting decentralised renewable solutions, and solarisation and energy-efficiency interventions for MSMEs to boost productivity and reduce electricity costs.
The Energy Department will anchor the initiative, coordinating participation from government departments, industry, academia and civil society, while closely monitoring progress. Notably, Balangir district has been selected by GEAPP as a model district for implementation.
Principal Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, and representatives from GEAPP and the Energy Department were present at the signing.
