The Odisha government on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to climate-resilient and farmer-centric development with a high-level workshop on “Scaling AgriPV in Odisha for Climate-Resilient Growth”, bringing together policymakers, energy experts, renewable energy developers and representatives from the agriculture sector.
Inaugurating the workshop, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo highlighted the transformative potential of Agrivoltaics (AgriPV), which combines agricultural activities with solar power generation, in enhancing farmers’ incomes while accelerating the state’s clean energy transition.
“AgriPV can emerge as a win-win model for both farmers and the energy sector by improving farm productivity, generating additional income and contributing to Odisha’s renewable energy goals,” Singh Deo said. He noted that the initiative aligns with the state’s vision of building a climate-resilient and sustainable economy under the ‘Viksit Odisha’ framework.
The event also witnessed the launch of several strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Odisha’s renewable energy ecosystem and long-term energy security.
Among the key launches was the report, “Empowering Farmers through AgriPV”, jointly prepared by GRIDCO Ltd. and the Vasudha Foundation, outlining the opportunities and roadmap for scaling up Agrivoltaic projects in the state.
The Odisha State Energy Action Plan (OSEAP) web platform, designed to support evidence-based and long-term energy planning, was also unveiled. In addition, two 150-metre Wind Resource Assessment Masts were inaugurated at Sonapur and Gopalpur in Ganjam district to facilitate future wind energy development.
The workshop marked the signing of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) purchase agreements for a 125 MW/500 MWh storage project to be established across six substations, a significant step towards strengthening grid reliability and integrating renewable energy.
Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Vishal Kumar Dev, said Odisha is adopting a holistic approach to energy transition through the expansion of renewable energy capacity, deployment of storage solutions and data-driven planning to meet the state’s growing electricity demand sustainably.
GRIDCO Managing Director Dr Satyapriya Rath said the convergence of Agrivoltaics, energy storage and advanced planning tools could serve as a catalyst for inclusive rural development while supporting the state’s clean energy ambitions.
The workshop concluded with technical sessions focusing on policy support, financing mechanisms and implementation strategies for scaling up AgriPV projects across Odisha.