Bhubaneswar, Nov 24: The state government and Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner on a concerted programme of support for Odisha’s clean energy transition.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. The agreement sets out a multi-faceted collaboration that combines planning, technical assistance, pilot deployment and financing facilitation to translate state ambitions into implementable, monitorable outcomes across energy systems and livelihood opportunities.
While addressing the stakeholders, Singh Deo said this MoU formalises a strategic partnership intended to accelerate Odisha’s journey towards a resilient, equitable, and investment-ready clean energy future by aligning technical expertise, policy support, and financing pathways with on-the-ground implementation. We are committed to provide reliable power to all.
Under the MOU, the partners will cooperate on energy transition planning and grid modernisation, helping the State develop multi-sector transition plans and advance utility digitisation to better integrate renewables. Work under this theme will also address demand-side management measures aimed at optimising consumption patterns and peak-load management to improve system efficiency and consumer outcomes.
A core focus will be accelerating deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): The Alliance will support the Department of Energy, GRIDCO, OREDA and DISCOMs in Odisha with techno-economic feasibility studies, identification of substations and candidate use cases such as peak shifting, renewable integration and ancillary services, and assistance in preparing procurement documentation (RFPs).
The partnership includes implementation oversight support, including a Project Management Unit during commissioning, and help in designing performance monitoring frameworks to maximise the technical and economic value of BESS projects.
The MoU further commits the parties to renewable-led livelihood initiatives. This includes facilitating solarisation of irrigation under PM-KUSUM through state nodal agencies, promoting the Decentralised Energy for Women’s Economic Empowerment (DEWEE) initiative by fostering grassroots innovation and business models that enable affordable, equitable adoption of decentralised renewable solutions by women-led enterprises.
The MoU also commits to supporting MSME solarisation and energy-efficiency interventions to raise productivity, lower electricity input costs and expand green livelihood opportunities across the State.
The Energy Department will provide leadership for the partnership, guiding stakeholder engagement across government entities, industry, academia and civil society and closely monitoring progress.
Balangir has been chosen as a model district by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.
Energy Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, representative from Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Energy department, were present.
