The Odisha government has approved power transmission projects worth INR 15,948.70 crore, marking the largest investment in the state’s power sector. The investment will focus on expanding and modernising the transmission network, strengthening grid reliability, meeting rising industrial and domestic electricity demand, and supporting the integration of renewable energy.
Approved by the state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the projects will be implemented under the Mukhya Mantri Shakti Bikash Yojana. For the first time, Odisha will introduce a 765 kV transmission network, with three new grid substations planned at Khuntuni, Duburi and Kolabira.
The state has also approved two new 400 kV grid substations at Kansbahal and Titlagarh, taking Odisha’s total number of 400 kV substations to 13. In addition, 10 new 220 kV grid substations will be developed, increasing the state’s total to 75 and supporting completion of the 220 kV ring network across Rourkela, Sambalpur and Bargarh.
The expanded network is expected to play an important role in evacuating power from upcoming renewable energy projects, including floating solar projects at Hirakud and Indravati as well as ground-mounted solar parks in western and southern Odisha.
Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (OPTCL) will also deploy AI-based inspection and predictive maintenance systems and upgrade 79 existing substations. Its transformation capacity is projected to more than double from 29,889 MVA to 63,364 MVA.
For financing, the Odisha government will contribute INR 4,785 crore in equity, while OPTCL will borrow INR 11,164 crore. The transmission network will also be integrated with a Network Automation System to enable remote monitoring and operations.
The investment is expected to strengthen Odisha’s power infrastructure while creating greater transmission capacity for industrial growth and the state’s expanding renewable energy portfolio.
