Odisha Holds the Key to India’s Renewable Energy Ambitions

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 30, 2025

India cannot dream of becoming a clean energy superpower while ignoring the ground beneath its own feet. From solar panels to wind turbines, electric vehicles to green transmission lines — every clean energy innovation depends on aluminium. Lightweight, durable, infinitely recyclable, and endlessly versatile, aluminium is the metal that makes renewable energy possible. And every tonne of aluminium begins with bauxite.It is not just another industrial commodity, but the very backbone of a sustainable future.

“Odisha, with some of the world’s richest bauxite reserves, is sitting on the very foundation of India’s renewable future. Yet for decades, we have debated, delayed, and wasted this opportunity. The result? India still imports bauxite when it could be self-reliant and still treats Odisha’s mineral wealth as a problem rather than the solution it truly is. This is no longer acceptable. At stake is not just Odisha’s development but India’s energy independence,” said Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Associate Professor, Head Department of Sociology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput.

India’s Aluminium Paradox

Despite holding some of the world’s richest bauxite reservesthe ore from which aluminium is producedIndia continues to depend heavily on imports. This creates a paradox: while aluminium is poised to drive our renewable energy revolution, the raw material needed to produce it remains underutilized within our borders. Odisha, which holds the lion’s share of India’s bauxite wealth, can help resolve this contradiction and secure India’s green future.

Powering Renewable Growth

The demand numbers are compelling. Solar photovoltaic systems use aluminium for more than 85% of their structural needs. Wind turbines rely on it for lightweight, durable components. Hydroelectric and emerging marine energy systems increasingly turn to aluminium alloys for their strength and corrosion resistance. According to the International Aluminium Institute, the renewable sector will require an additional 5.2 million tonnes of aluminium globally by 2030.

India’s electricity demand, rising nearly 10% annually, makes this need even more urgent. With the government’s ambitious target of 50% renewable energy generation by 2030, aluminium supply will be central to success.

Driving the EV Transition

The story extends beyond power. With the Production Linked Incentive scheme and PM e-Drive, India is steering toward becoming a global hub for electric vehicles, projected to make up one-third of passenger car sales by 2030. Aluminium plays a decisive role herereducing vehicle weight, enhancing energy efficiency, and ensuring safety. Its recyclabilityrequiring just 5% of the energy used in primary productionfurther strengthens its role in India’s green mobility vision.

Odisha’s Untapped Potential

India possesses an estimated 5 billion tonnes of bauxitearound 8% of global deposits. Odisha alone accounts for more than half of this, with high-grade deposits in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Sundargarh. The quality of Odisha’s bauxite is exceptional, making it ideally suited for refining into alumina.

Yet, India still imported 4.4 million tonnes of bauxite in 2023–24, with the import bill swelling to over Rs 2.11 lakh crore in 2024–25. Unlocking Odisha’s reserves offers a clear opportunity: By scaling up bauxite mining and building an integrated chain of refineries, smelters, and downstream industries within Odisha, India can generate thousands of jobs, attract billions in investment, and cement its place in global supply chains. This will reduce dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange, and catalyze industrial growth in Odisha’s heartland.

Building a Responsible Future

The path forward lies in responsible, inclusive, and sustainable mining. Concerns of ecological balance and tribal welfare must be addressed with science-led solutions: transparent rehabilitation, fair revenue sharing, community infrastructure, and strict environmental safeguards. “Green aluminium” produced with renewable energy — can command a premium on world markets, positioning Odisha as the epicentre of low-carbon industry. With such measures, Odisha’s bauxite mining can become a model of development that combines economic growth with social progress.

A Strategic Imperative

India stands at a pivotal juncture. Rising import bills, supply risks, and growing demand all point to the urgency of tapping into our domestic bauxite wealth. By responsibly unlocking Odisha’s reserves, India can strengthen its self-reliance, accelerate renewable and EV adoption, and establish itself as a leader in the industries of tomorrow. Every tonne of bauxite mined and processed sustainably in Odisha is a step toward fortifying India’s clean energy infrastructure.