'Odisha will be power surplus next year'

The State will not face power crisis, which it has been facing for the last two to three years, in the coming days and will be power surplus next year, said Minister for Energy Arun Kumar Sahu in the Assembly on Friday.

During the debate on the demand for grants of the Energy Department, the Minister said out of 29 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed by the State Government for setting up power plants, 8 to 10 will start generation.

Besides, during the 12th Five Year Plan, the State will get 50 per cent of electricity needs from third and fourth units (2x660 MW) of Odisha Power Generation Corporation, proposed thermal power plants (3x800 MW) to be set up by the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited near Kamakshanagar and power plants (2x800 MW) to be set up by National Thermal Power Corporation near Darlipali.

The Minister said the State is also expected to get 1,300 MW from the ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in Sundargarh. Several other projects will also start power generation during the 13th Five Year Plan. Odisha will be able to export power after meeting its requirement, Sahu added.

Besides, the State has also set a target to generate 500 MW green power during next five years.

The Government has set up Green Energy Development Corporation (GEDCOL) to boost power generation from non-conventional sources including small reservoirs, solar and wind energy, he said.

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