THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 17, 2026

With temperatures soaring and power demand on the rise, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of the Energy Department’s preparedness to ensure seamless electricity supply during the summer months.

Emphasizing the need for reliability, the Deputy CM directed officials to maintain uninterrupted power services across the state, stressing that even during peak demand periods, consumers should not face disruptions.

The state has already recorded a peak demand of 6,087 MW in April, which officials confirmed is being successfully managed. Looking ahead, demand is projected to touch 6,200 MW in May and 6,100 MW in June — reflecting a 2 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

To meet this growing demand, the Energy Department has put in place a multi-pronged strategy. Coordination with Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) has been strengthened to maximize hydropower generation during peak hours, while thermal power plants are being aligned to ensure steady supply. Additionally, power banking mechanisms have been activated to balance supply fluctuations.

The state is also in discussions with Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) to procure an additional 50–100 MW of power. Provisions have been made to source electricity from power exchanges as required, ensuring that any shortfall is swiftly addressed.

In a move to enhance consumer experience, the department has significantly upgraded its grievance redressal system. Call centre capacity has been expanded from 100 to 150 logins per day, while new features such as missed-call alerts and single-click access have been introduced for real-time updates on power disruptions. Consumers can now register complaints more easily through IVRS, websites, mobile apps, and self-service platforms.

To keep citizens informed, advance notifications of planned outages are being disseminated via social media, SMS, WhatsApp, and local announcements.

Reiterating his commitment to public welfare, Singh Deo instructed officials to respond promptly to complaints and remain vigilant during extreme heat conditions. Importantly, he directed that no domestic consumers should face power disconnection due to unpaid bills during the ongoing heatwave.

The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of Energy Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, GRIDCO MD Satya Priya Rath, along with senior officials from the Energy Department, GRIDCO, OPTCL, OHPC, and DISCOMs.