The Grid Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO) has invited expressions of interest (EoI) from large power consumers in the state to aggregate renewable energy demand.
This initiative, which targets entities with a minimum contract demand of 500 kW, is a key pillar of Odisha’s vision to expand its renewable energy footprint while creating a cost-efficient, carbon-conscious power market. The call for interest, open until 28 May 2025, marks a turning point for industries, commercial establishments, and institutional energy consumers who are now being offered the opportunity to shift from conventional sources to a blend of solar, wind, hybrid, and storage-based power solutions. Participants sourcing electricity through DISCOMs, captive generation, open access, or third-party tie-ups stand to gain from a host of financial incentives and long-term policy benefits.
Odisha’s target is ambitious yet focused—adding nearly 11 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. This includes 7.5 GW of solar energy, 2 GW of wind, 190 MW of small hydro, 60 MW from large hydro, and 1.2 GW of pumped storage systems. GRIDCO’s role in aggregating demand is a strategy aimed at unlocking economies of scale and ensuring stable, competitively priced renewable energy procurement for bulk consumers. This model not only strengthens Odisha’s Renewable Energy Policy 2022 but also aligns with India’s broader decarbonisation goals. The state is offering compelling incentives to early adopters. Consumers procuring renewable power through GRIDCO will be exempt from cross-subsidy surcharges—a key barrier in open-access power procurement. Captive and open access consumers using renewable sources commissioned during the policy period are also eligible for an electricity duty waiver of ₹0.50 per unit for 15 years, extended to 20 years if projects go live by March 2026.
In addition, transmission and wheeling charge exemptions have been designed to reduce operational costs for green power adopters. These include a ₹0.20/kWh exemption on state transmission utility charges and a 25% discount on wheeling charges, which increases to 50% if power flows between different distribution zones. Energy storage projects, regardless of technology type, will also benefit from a 15-year waiver on electricity duty for input energy sourced from renewable facilities in Odisha. This progressive approach not only supports industrial decarbonisation but also signals a strategic shift in the state’s energy planning—one that prioritises circular, resilient, and clean energy systems over short-term cost efficiencies. The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission will oversee the operationalisation of these benefits, ensuring compliance, transparency, and sectoral confidence.
Odisha’s proactive aggregation model has the potential to reshape its industrial landscape while reducing its carbon intensity. If successful, it could serve as a replicable framework for other Indian states navigating the complex transition towards sustainable and equitable energy futures.
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