The development of the green energy sector in India and Odisha, in particular, is facing lots of hurdles and challenges. In an interview, energy sector expert Er Miraj Kumar Mishra talks to Sunil Kumar Mishra about the scenario in Odisha.
 
Q: What is the status of green energy?
A: At present, India has a capacity of around 174 GW of renewable energy (RE), from which Odisha needs to develop around 10 GW of capacity by 2030. Till date, Odisha has developed only 700 MW (approx) RE leaving aside large hydro power. As a whole, Odisha has utilised 11.5% of its available potential in the State. So, the question is whether it will be a reality to achieve the estimated target of RE by 2030 or still it will remain a pipedream.
 
Q: What is RE policy in Odisha?
A: The Government of Odisha notified the RE Policy 2022, which engrosses various energy technologies, like large and small hydro, all types of solar, wind and biomass etc. The Government provides facilities for promoting RE projects in Odisha, extending various incentive programmes as in land, stamp duty, wheeling charges etc.  Here I want to point out that the main driver behind this is the Renewale Purchase Obligation set by the Central Government. I hope a serious note of it is taken by organisations to meet the RPO.
 
Q: Who are the major players in the development of green energy in Odisha?
A: The Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Limited (a subsidiary of OHPC Ltd) and the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Authority, and some private players are currently developing RE power. Big players like BHEL, NHPC, TATA Power, Reliance power and Jaiprakash Energy should be persuaded in consultation with the Central Government to develop green energy in Odisha.
 
Q: In which way the Green Energy Policy of India is helping Odisha?  A: The global power sector is undergoing an accelerated transformation due to climate change and India is keen to fight climate change through renewable energy. The Central Government is always pushing Odisha to develop green energy giving positive motivation and clearance including environmental and pollution etc. it is even giving enormous sources like funding. 
 
Q: How do you look at the scope and resources of RE in Odisha?
A: Odisha has lots of resources in solar, floating solar, and small hydro. The barren lands in hydro projects and on the river side, solar power can be installed. Odisha has lots of canals for irrigation purposes, so floating solar projects can be installed. Though Odisha has failed in wind power in the past, still there is a silver lining to set up projects, with better technology. We have enough resources for biomass which can be utilised for RE power generation. In a recent industrial conclave, players like Adani, JSW and others have shown interest in developing RE power. However, it is a fact that Odisha lags behind other States in developing green energy to the required target due to insufficient vision, improper blue print and lack of controlled execution and motoring.
 
Q: It is seen that not a single MW has been added in new hydro projects, in recent years?
 
A: It is partially true, because we have added few MWs through renovation, modernization and uprating of old units and by developing some small hydro projects. Though there are resources of hydro projects in Odisha, it is difficult to develop it because of economic, rehabilitation and resettlement issues and above all, the major is political issue— the last example being the Sindol project.
 
Q: In the current scenario what are the obstacles in the way of developing hydro power?
A: In the past the development of hydro power was easy, because there was less problem of rehabilitation, due to low population. The people were not that conscious and were economically backward. There was absolutely no political intervention in the past, which is a major issue now. Moreover, the climatic factor was not so complicated. Though technology has advanced a lot and in spite of Government incentives, facilities and funds, still the hydro power is not developing as expected.
 
Q: What are your suggestions to overcome these challenges?
A: The big hydro projects can be split up to small hydro projects, in cascading manner and can be developed, though we may lose some MW  apacity. Before installing any projects, there must be involvement of villagers and political people because they play a major role. The Tehri hydro Project is a good example of a better rehabilitation system, which can be followed in other regions. Organisations and private players should be given free hand and enormous opportunity, curtailing intervention of people and politics. The mafia raj which is going on in new projects should be controlled.