Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg Reviews DISCOM Performance, Pushes Renewable Energy, Smart Meter Rollout and Power Infrastructure Upgrades
Odisha is stepping up efforts to modernise its power sector, accelerate the transition to clean energy and improve electricity distribution across the state. Leading this push, Chief Secretary Anu Garg (IAS:1991:OR) chaired a comprehensive review of the state’s four power distribution companies (DISCOMs), directing them to fast-track renewable energy projects, expand the rollout of smart meters and continue strengthening the electricity distribution network to meet rising consumer demand.
The review meeting reflected the state’s long-term strategy of creating a more reliable, technology-driven and sustainable power ecosystem. Besides focusing on renewable energy adoption, discussions also covered infrastructure development, operational efficiency, electricity reliability and digital reforms in power distribution.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, GRIDCO Chairman-cum-Managing Director Satyapriya Rath, along with senior officials representing TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL and TPWODL, the four distribution companies responsible for supplying electricity across Odisha.
Chief Secretary Calls for Faster Renewable Energy Expansion
A key focus of the review was Odisha’s progress in expanding renewable energy capacity under the Government of India’s flagship rooftop solar initiative.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY) and appreciated the efforts made by the DISCOMs in promoting rooftop solar installations throughout the state.
Officials informed the meeting that Odisha has achieved an impressive milestone of 1,56,606 rooftop solar installations, reflecting the growing acceptance of clean energy among consumers.
The installations include:
92,280 rooftop solar systems installed under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
64,326 installations completed under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) Scheme.
With these achievements, Odisha has secured a place among the top ten performing states in the country under the Centre’s ambitious rooftop solar programme.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that the momentum should continue and directed the power distribution companies to intensify awareness campaigns, simplify implementation processes and ensure timely execution of pending applications.
PM-KUSUM 2.0 Scheme Gets Fresh Push
Beyond rooftop solar installations, the meeting also reviewed progress under the PM-KUSUM 2.0 Scheme, another major renewable energy initiative aimed at strengthening clean energy generation, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Anu Garg instructed the DISCOMs to expedite implementation of the scheme so that renewable energy adoption can expand further across Odisha.
Officials were asked to ensure close coordination with implementing agencies, remove procedural bottlenecks and facilitate quicker execution of projects.
The state government believes that wider adoption of renewable energy will not only reduce dependence on conventional power sources but also contribute towards long-term energy security and environmental sustainability.
Power Distribution Network Registers Significant Improvement
The review meeting also assessed the operational performance of the state’s four power distribution companies.
According to the assessment presented during the board meetings, Odisha has recorded a steady reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses across all four DISCOMs.
Lower AT&C losses generally indicate improvements in operational efficiency, better energy accounting, enhanced billing systems and reduced transmission and distribution losses.
Officials informed the Chief Secretary that sustained efforts over the past several years have helped improve the overall performance of the state’s electricity distribution system.
The review highlighted that investments made in strengthening distribution infrastructure have begun delivering measurable improvements across multiple operational parameters.
Five Years of Capital Investment Strengthen Power Infrastructure
The board also reviewed the impact of capital investments undertaken over the past five years.
Officials noted that these investments have substantially strengthened Odisha’s electricity distribution network.
The upgraded infrastructure has contributed to:
Improved safety standards across the distribution system.
Greater capacity to handle rising electricity demand.
Enhanced reliability of power supply.
Better operational efficiency.
Improved quality of consumer services.
As electricity demand continues to increase across residential, commercial and industrial sectors, infrastructure modernisation remains one of the state’s top priorities.
The government believes that continued investment in distribution assets will be critical for ensuring uninterrupted power supply while supporting Odisha’s economic growth.
DISCOMs Appreciated for Rath Yatra Power Management
Chief Secretary Anu Garg also commended the performance of the DISCOMs during this year’s Rath Yatra, one of Odisha’s largest and most significant religious events.
Managing electricity supply during the festival poses a considerable operational challenge because of the sharp increase in power demand, the movement of large crowds and the need for uninterrupted electricity at multiple locations.
Officials informed the meeting that the distribution companies successfully maintained continuous power supply throughout the festival period.
The DISCOMs also managed peak electricity demand efficiently without major disruptions.
Particular appreciation was expressed for achieving zero power transformer failures during the Rath Yatra, a significant operational accomplishment considering the scale of the event.
The Chief Secretary acknowledged the planning, coordination and field-level execution that made this possible.
Improvements in Power Reliability Indicators
Apart from festival management, the review also examined broader indicators relating to electricity reliability.
Officials reported continuous improvement in several key operational parameters used to assess the quality and dependability of power supply.
These improvements reflect ongoing efforts to modernise infrastructure, strengthen maintenance systems and improve fault response mechanisms.
Reliable electricity supply remains central to Odisha’s broader development strategy, supporting households, industries, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and commercial establishments across the state.
Government Electricity Connections to Shift to Prepaid Smart Meters
One of the most important policy decisions emerging from the meeting concerns the state’s transition towards smart metering.
The Odisha government announced that all government electricity connections will gradually shift from the existing post-paid billing system to prepaid smart meters, beginning in August.
The move marks another major step in the state’s digital transformation of the power sector.
Prepaid smart meters are expected to improve billing transparency, reduce administrative costs and promote more efficient electricity consumption.
Government departments will be able to monitor their electricity usage in real time, helping them manage consumption more effectively.
The transition is also expected to strengthen financial discipline in government energy expenditure.
Four Percent Rebate to Encourage Adoption
To facilitate the transition, the state government has introduced a financial incentive for government departments adopting prepaid smart metering.
Departments that shift to prepaid smart meters will receive a 4 percent rebate on their monthly electricity bills.
Officials believe this incentive will encourage quicker adoption while promoting greater awareness regarding energy conservation.
The rebate is also expected to support better budget planning by encouraging departments to monitor and optimise electricity consumption.
Smart Meter Rollout Central to Digital Power Reforms
The review highlighted smart metering as one of the key pillars of Odisha’s ongoing power sector reforms.
Smart meters enable consumers and utilities to access near real-time information on electricity consumption, helping improve billing accuracy, reduce losses and enhance operational efficiency.
For power distribution companies, wider deployment of smart meters can improve revenue collection, reduce manual intervention and facilitate quicker identification of technical issues.
For consumers, the technology offers greater transparency and more control over electricity usage.
The government sees digital metering as an essential component of creating a modern, technology-enabled electricity distribution system.
Comprehensive Modernisation of the Power Sector
The discussions during the review reflected Odisha’s broader vision of building a future-ready power sector capable of meeting increasing energy demand while supporting clean energy goals.
By simultaneously investing in renewable energy, digital technologies, infrastructure upgrades and operational efficiency, the state aims to create a resilient electricity distribution system that serves both urban and rural consumers effectively.
Officials believe that integrating rooftop solar projects, strengthening distribution networks and expanding smart metering will improve service quality while making the power sector more financially sustainable.
Roadmap for a Sustainable Energy Future
Chief Secretary Anu Garg’s review underscores the Odisha government’s continued commitment to transforming the state’s electricity sector through a combination of technological innovation, infrastructure investment and renewable energy expansion.
With Odisha now ranked among the country’s leading performers in rooftop solar installations, the government is looking to build on this momentum by accelerating implementation of the PM-KUSUM 2.0 Scheme, expanding smart metering and further strengthening electricity infrastructure.
The shift to prepaid smart meters for government establishments, combined with continued investment in power distribution networks and renewable energy initiatives, signals a long-term strategy focused on creating a cleaner, smarter and more efficient energy ecosystem.
As Odisha continues modernising its power sector, these reforms are expected to improve service delivery, enhance operational performance and support the state’s transition towards a more sustainable and digitally enabled energy future.
