Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Friday held a high-level stakeholder dialogue to accelerate the development of small hydro power projects in the state under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Small Hydro Power Development Scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The dialogue, organised by the Energy Department and GRIDCO Limited in association with knowledge partner iFOREST at Mayfair Convention Hall, brought together policymakers, project developers, financiers and sector experts to identify priority sites, streamline clearances and build an investment-ready project pipeline.
The ₹2,584.60-crore national scheme aims to add 1,500 MW of small hydro capacity through around 200 projects and provides ₹30 crore towards preparation of Detailed Project Reports. Against an estimated 21,133 MW of small hydro potential in India, only 5,171 MW has so far been harnessed.
Odisha, which accounts for nearly 11 per cent of India’s surface water resources, plans to use the central scheme to diversify its largely thermal-based power generation portfolio. The state has also secured Cabinet approval for an investment of around ₹16,000 crore to expand transmission infrastructure, including three new 765-kV networks, to facilitate grid integration.
Inaugurating the dialogue, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said small hydro projects offer environmental and developmental benefits by utilising existing irrigation canals and water flows while minimising the need for extensive land acquisition.
Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Vishal Dev said the state was creating the necessary regulatory, financial and institutional ecosystem to convert its hydro potential into bankable projects.
The event also witnessed the signing of a renewable energy banking agreement, which is expected to support the implementation of an action roadmap covering site selection, clearances and community benefit-sharing.
Principal Secretary, FE&CC and CMD, OPTCL Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, GRIDCO Managing Director Satya Priya Rath, iFOREST Director (Programme Development) Mandvi Singh and other officials and stakeholders attended the dialogue.
