The State’s thermal power generation capacity, as availed as State’s share, is currently 4,109 mega watt and hydropower generation capability is 2,085 MW, together amounts to 6,194 MW.
Energy Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra has informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJP MLA Mohan Charan Majhi.
While the price of thermal power, purchased by the State from the power companies operating in the State in 2018-19, was 275.9 paisa per unit, it was 89.99 paisa per unit of power generated by large hydro project and 369 paisa per unit of hydro power produced by micro hydropower projects.
Power tariff is being collected from different categories of consumers as per rates fixed by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Authority (OERC), he said.
To increase power generation, the Government has decided to establish a 600 MW pump storage project at the Upper Indravati and the Odisha Hydro Power Project (OHPC) is preparing a DPR, which is at the final stage now. Besides, DPRs for establishment of 320 MW pump storage project at Upper Kolab and 500-MW at Balimela. These apart, DPRs are being prepared for generating hydro power in Kandhamal and Boudh districts.
The State Government has so far signed MoUs with 33 micro hydropower companies for total generation of 423 MW and, of them, nine have inked agreement with Gridco for procurment of power, the Minister informed.
