Recently, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA), organized a pre-event conference for Global Wind Day at the Welcome Hotel in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
As Joint Secretary (MNRE), Lalit Bohra was unable to attend the conference in person, his speech was read out by Dr. B. K. Mohanty, Director (Finance), IREDA, in which he emphasized the rapid development of renewable energy across India and highlighted the measures taken by the governments. As per the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), India’s onshore wind potential is estimated at 1,164 GW at 150 metres above ground level, with Odisha’s potential of 12 GW.
In his keynote address, Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA highlighted Odisha’s significant green energy potential and the promising opportunities within the state. He pointed out Odisha’s potential to lead in green hydrogen projects, stressing the state’s critical role in advancing sustainable energy initiatives. As of 31st March 2024, IREDA has disbursed cumulative loans totaling Rs. 1,25,917 crores in renewable energy, with Rs. 26,913 crores disbursed to wind power projects nationwide. Specifically, Rs. 1,637 crores loan has been disbursed by IREDA towards renewable energy projects in Odisha. He reaffirmed the vital importance of harnessing renewable energy for sustainable national development.
