Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg, an IAS officer of 1991 batch, has directed the state’s four power distribution companies (DISCOMs) to accelerate renewable energy initiatives, strengthen electricity infrastructure and expand the rollout of smart meters across the state.
The directions were issued during the board meetings of TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL and TPWODL, attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, GRIDCO Chairman-cum-Managing Director Satyapriya Rath, and senior officials of the four distribution companies.
Focus on Renewable Energy Expansion
Reviewing the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY), Anu Garg appreciated the DISCOMs for promoting rooftop solar installations across Odisha.
The state has achieved 1,56,606 rooftop solar installations, comprising:
- 92,280 installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
- 64,326 installations under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) scheme
With this achievement, Odisha has emerged among the top 10 performing states under the Centre’s flagship rooftop solar programme.
The Chief Secretary also instructed DISCOMs to expedite the implementation of the PM-KUSUM 2.0 scheme to further boost renewable energy generation and adoption in the state.
Power Distribution Network Shows Improvement
During the review, the board noted a sustained reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) lossesacross all four distribution companies, indicating improved operational efficiency.
The meeting also observed that capital investments made over the past five years have significantly strengthened Odisha’s power distribution network by enhancing safety standards, supporting increasing electricity demand and improving overall service delivery.
Praise for Reliable Power Supply
Anu Garg commended the DISCOMs for maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply during the Rath Yatra, effectively managing peak power demand and achieving zero power transformer failures during the festival period.
The companies were also appreciated for recording continuous improvements in key power reliability indicators.
Government Connections to Shift to Prepaid Smart Meters
In a major policy decision, the Odisha government announced that all government electricity connections will be converted from post-paid to prepaid smart meters from August.
To encourage adoption, government departments switching to prepaid smart metering will receive a 4 per cent rebate on their monthly electricity bills.
The move is expected to improve billing efficiency, promote energy conservation and strengthen financial discipline in electricity consumption across government establishments.
The review reflects the Odisha government’s continued emphasis on modernising the power sector through renewable energy expansion, digital metering, infrastructure upgrades and improved operational efficiency.
