Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 24

Odisha chief secretary GC Pati today called for integrating conventional power distribution through grid system with that of decentralized power generation and distribution from non-conventional sources.

Pic; Biswaranjan Mishra Pic; Biswaranjan Mishra

“Such integration will facilitate expansion of grid system to remote areas, create opportunities for entrepreneurship in rural areas and will help in production of clean and renewable energy,” he said while presiding over a consultative workshop on “Fast tracking of sustainable energy for human development” at the state secretariat here.

This consultative workshop with government of Odisha was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) with support from UNDP and UKAID.

The chief secretary directed secretary, Science and Technology Surendra Kumar to constitute a technical committee for suggesting about available technological options, institutional arrangement and financial implications of this integration while asking the department to identify different sectors and activities in which non-conventional energy can be applied cost effectively.

He also asked the Science and Technology department to prepare a definite action plan with technical inputs from OREDA and TERI for encouraging the individual households to use solar heating system and modern clean cooking devices.

Director, TERI IH Rehman made a power point presentation on renewable energy for human development in Odisha.

The presentation showed that across developing countries, the average electrification rate is 76% varying between 92% for urban areas and 62% for rural areas; whereas the average electrification rate in Odisha is around 88%.

In domestic use, around 76% of households in Odisha use bio-mass for cooking and dependence on bio-mass for cooking in traditional manner added to the indoor air pollution and disease burden, the presentation revealed.

Domestic use of clean and renewable energy will reduce these burdens and will contribute towards environmental conservation; it was felt at the workshop.

Among others, development commissioner UN Behera, principal secretary, Energy SC  Mahapatra, secretary, School & Mass Education Usha Padhee, secretary, Tourism & Culture Dr Arabinda Padhee, revenue divisional commissioners and collectors participated in the deliberations.