The State Government has targeted to generate 20.5 mega watt power using waters of small and big canals during the next five years. For this, MoUs have been signed with four private companies.
Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJP MlA Pradeep Purohit and supplementary questions of MlAs Mahesh Sahoo (BJD) and Dr Prafulla Majhi Congress on Tuesday.
While Purohit demanded that hydro power project be set up at Gandhamardan hill as 22 streams are flowing there throughout the year, Sahu suggested to establish a power project at Garjankhol near Pallahada in Anguld district.
In response, the Minister said the Engergy Department can set up projects to generate more than 100 mega watt power using small and big canals. “While surveys were conducted at 30 places, 21 locations were identified for seeting up mini hydropower projects,” the Minister said.
He further informed that the Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha ltd has decided to set up a three mega watt project at Jambhira in Mayurbhanj district and a 4.2-MW project at Kanupura in Keonjhar district. The Construction works for the two projects are underway, he informed.
In a written reply to a related question of BJP MlA Rabinarayan Nayak, the Minister informed the House that the Government has planned to set up a total of 17 small hydropower projects in 10 years. Implementation agreement has been signed for establishment of four of the 17 projects and works are already underway for three projects. Efforts are on to set up the rest 13 projects, the Minister said.