Renewable energy projects approved in Odisha

The Rourkela Municipal Corporation’s waste-to-energy project, with a budget of Rs 890 crore, was among four renewable energy projects approved by the Energy Department’s single window committee (SWC). The plans for the establishment of two 50 MW solar power projects and a 50 MW wind power project were authorized at the committee meeting on Friday, which was presided over by the extra chief secretary for energy. The Rourkela Municipal Corporation’s (RMC) waste-to-energy (bio-methanation) project will be the first of its type in the state and will be able to produce electricity from the methane gas created by the fermentation of municipal trash.

“In the first phase 40kW power will be generated by utilising five-tonne waste out of the 40 tonne produced in the steel city everyday.After successful implementation of the phase, power can be generated by utilising the remaining municipal waste,” said GRIDCO MD Trilochan Panda.

According to him, the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy, 2022 provides for GRIDCO to purchase such electricity at a rate set by OERC for usage in the state in compliance with the National Tariff Policy, 2016. The power qualifies to fulfill the state’s renewable procurement requirement (RPO). As a byproduct of such a waste management procedure, solid biofertilizer will be created, Panda continued.