Bhubaneswar, Jun 13 (KNN) A pre-event conference for Global Wind Day, organised by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) in collaboration with the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA), shed light on Odisha's wind energy potential and the state's role in advancing sustainable energy initiatives.

In his keynote address at the conference held at Welcome Hotel in Bhubaneswar, Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director of IREDA, highlighted Odisha's significant green energy prospects and promising opportunities within the state.

He emphasised Odisha's potential to lead in green hydrogen projects, underlining the state's critical role in driving sustainable energy initiatives forward.

According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), India's onshore wind potential is estimated at a staggering 1,164 gigawatts at 150 meters above ground level, with Odisha accounting for 12 gigawatts of that potential.

As of March 31, 2024, IREDA has disbursed cumulative loans totaling Rs 125,917 crores in renewable energy projects across India, with Rs 26,913 crores allocated specifically to wind power projects nationwide.

Notably, Rs 1,637 crores have been disbursed by IREDA towards renewable energy projects in Odisha.

Das also drew attention to Odisha's Renewable Energy Policy 2022, which aims to drive investments in clean energy, with a special focus on renewable energy manufacturing and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, and floating solar.

In a speech read by Dr. B.K. Mohanty, Director (Finance) at IREDA, on behalf of Lalit Bohra, Joint Secretary at MNRE, the rapid development of renewable energy across India and the measures taken by the Government of India, including in the state of Odisha, were emphasised.

Both speakers underscored the vital importance of harnessing renewable energy for sustainable national development and encouraged renewable energy developers to capitalise on the expanding opportunities in Odisha and other states.

(KNN Bureau)