Parliamentarians and legislators of the State are now keen on forming a network to boost renewable energy sector.
Dead set on the mission, several MPs and MlAs joined a convention titled “Promoting legislative actions towards a clean energy future” held on November 9 here. It was organized by Climate Parliament, which is a global forum of Parliamentarians for promoting legislative actions on renewable energy.
Apart from the State leaders, renewable energy experts and civil society representatives attended the meeting and discussed how new policy initiatives, financial incentives and technological inputs can bring about positive developments in the renewable energy sector in the State.
MP Shahshi Bhushan Behera emphasized the need to develop a network of informed legislatures who can campaign for a long term action plan to promote renewable energy sector in the State.
While welcoming the Climate Parliament initiative, Behera said the development of renewable energy in the State will have an immense impact on developing rural electrification, improving power availability, local economy, job creation and addressing climate change issues.
MP Prasanna Patsani highlighted that large-scale conventional power and hydro projects have their own challenges and renewable energy can cater to the growing need for power these days with least impact on the environment.
MlA Amar Prasad Satpathy said there is immense potential of renewable energy in Odisha and the legislators can play a very important role by forming a House Committee exclusively for renewable energy. He also suggested that OREDA should play a leading role in developing the renewable energy sector in the State.
MlAs Prasanta Muduli, Prashant Nanda, Mukunda Sodi and Ramakant Seth expressed their concerns about the climate change impacts and environmental degradation in Odisha. They emphasised on the role renewable energy can play in promoting the livelihood opportunities for rural people. The meeting was moderated by UNDP State head Dr Ambika Prasad Nanda.