Berhampur, June 12 (UDN): Odisha marked a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey with the inauguration of the state’s first major solar power project under the Prime Minister’s KUSUM Yojana at Surakhadeipur village in Ganjam district’s Sorada block.
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Developed by young entrepreneur Kishan Kumar Rath, the solar power facility has been established over nearly seven acres of land and is equipped with extensive solar panel infrastructure. The project has a generation capacity of 2.6 megawatts and is expected to produce more than 15,000 units of electricity daily, contributing substantially to the region’s power supply.
Officials associated with the project said GRIDCO has signed an agreement to procure the electricity generated from the plant at a tariff of Rs 4.40 per unit. The power produced will be supplied to four electricity feeders in the Badagada region, helping strengthen power distribution and improve supply reliability for consumers.
The project is expected to generate daily revenue of around Rs 60,000 while supporting Odisha’s efforts to expand clean energy generation and reduce dependence on conventional power sources. Apart from meeting growing energy demands, the initiative is also expected to encourage further investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure across the state.
Sharing his journey, entrepreneur Kishan Kumar Rath said he had first applied for the PM-KUSUM project in 2020, but the proposal could not materialize at that time. When fresh opportunities emerged, he participated in the tender process and secured one of the state’s early solar power allocations. He noted that the project received a tariff of Rs 4.40 per unit, making it one of the most competitive solar ventures in the country.
The project was formally inaugurated by Southern Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Birasen Pradhan. Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan described the initiative as a landmark achievement for both Ganjam district and Odisha. He expressed hope that such renewable energy projects would help address power supply challenges in the region and accelerate the state’s transition towards sustainable development.
The commissioning of the solar plant is being viewed as a major step towards strengthening Odisha’s green energy ecosystem and advancing the state’s clean energy ambitions.
