• Odisha is targeting renewable energy capacity of 3,000 MW by 2022, with 2,300 MW coming from solar
  • The state’s renewable energy policy states that 50 MW of the total target must come from projects on the consumer side of the meter, including rooftop PV systems
  • Odisha has plans to add 70 MW rooftop capacity to its portfolio
  • The state government says it expects 70 MW rooftop capacity come up with an investment of $74.7 million

The Indian state of Odisha wants to generate solar power from 70 MW of rooftop PV capacity by the year 2022, that’s when India wants its cumulative installed solar PV capacity should have reached 100 GW. Out of the 70 MW capacity, 10 MW is scheduled to come up in 2016-17 and 2017-18, with investment costs estimated to be 800 million INR ($11.97 million).

As of July 31, 2016, Odisha had commissioned 66.92 MW of grid connected solar power projects as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Under its Odisha Renewable Energy Policy 2015-22, the state is planning to add 3,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. The major part will be solar with 2,300 MW. A Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) document shows that the tentative state target for solar under its 100 GW JNNSM program was 2,377 MW.

The state’s renewable energy policy makes it mandatory for at least 1,500 MW to come from solar parks, while 500 MW is designated for land based solar projects (unused land from what is allotted to industries, CPPs and IPPs), where project developers will be required to arrange the land. Another 250 MW will be generated from water-based areas, like canal tops, water reservoirs, etc. The final 50 MW is supposed to come up as projects on the consumer side of the meter, which includes rooftop solar.

Odisha has the approval from the MNRE to set up a 1,000 MW capacity solar power park.

The state government will be assessing the solar policy mid-term, which would be March 31, 2017.

A senior government official told Indian business daily Business Standard that Odisha is expecting to contribute 5 billion INR ($74.7 million) and that the projects are likely to be taken up by the government, private companies and individuals. The implementing agency for these solar projects in the state is Green Energy Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd (GEDCOL).