Odisha Governor inaugurates 485 kWp Solar Plant; total capacity reaches 635 kW
Bhubaneswar, June 6
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati inaugurated a 485 kWp rooftop solar power plant at Lok Bhavan on Saturday, strengthening the campus's shift towards clean and renewable energy.
With this addition, the total solar capacity at Lok Bhavan has increased to 635 kW, making it a notable example of sustainable public infrastructure.
The solar project has been installed across multiple buildings within the campus. The Abhishek Banquet Hall accounts for the largest share with 191 kWp, followed by the Campus Garage with 85 kWp. Other installations include the Administrative Building (64 kWp), Governor's House (54 kWp), Energy Park (47 kWp), Police ADC Residence (20 kWp), Naval ADC Residence (14 kWp), and the Wellness Centre (10 kWp).
The project has been executed by NBCC (India) Limited. Senior officials, including Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NBCC, KP Mahadevaswamy, were present at the inauguration.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said the initiative reflects the growing need to transition towards renewable energy sources in view of global energy challenges and rising fuel prices. He stressed the importance of reducing dependence on imported crude oil and promoting clean energy alternatives.
Referring to the Prime Minister's recent appeals, the Governor encouraged citizens to adopt electric vehicles and reduce the use of petrol and diesel.
He noted that while EV adoption is increasing, the rising demand for electricity must be met through clean and sustainable sources such as solar energy.
The Governor also highlighted government support schemes such as PM Surya Ghar, along with Odisha Government subsidies, which are enabling wider adoption of rooftop solar systems at reduced costs for households and institutions. He further mentioned initiatives such as ethanol blending, including E20 and E85 petrol, as part of broader efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence and promote cleaner fuels. He noted that automobile manufacturers are increasingly introducing flex-fuel vehicles to support this transition.
Over the past year, Lok Bhavan has strengthened its sustainability efforts by significantly expanding the use of solar energy. The Governor's official motorcade has already been transitioned to electric vehicles, marking a notable step toward cleaner mobility. These initiatives reflect a consistent institutional commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing the campus's carbon footprint.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some concrete action! We talk a lot about renewable energy, but seeing the Governor's House and other buildings go solar is encouraging. 🏢☀️ The PM Surya Ghar scheme is also helping many households. I just hope maintenance of these panels is taken seriously. Often, government solar plants fall into disrepair after a few years.
Great step for sustainable public infrastructure. The shift to EV for the motorcade is also progressive. However, I hope the state also focuses on expanding grid capacity and battery storage. Solar is intermittent, and without proper storage, we still rely on thermal power during evenings. The Governor's emphasis on reducing crude oil imports is spot on.
This is good news! But I wonder about the cost-benefit analysis. How much will this save on electricity bills for the government? And is the NBCC project transparent? Also, the Governor mentioned ethanol blending. While it's good for reducing emissions, we must ensure food security isn't compromised by diverting crops for fuel. Balanced approach is needed.
As someone living in Bhubaneswar, I appreciate these moves. The city already has a good reputation for green urban planning. This adds to it. 🌿 The Governor's mention of EV adoption is timely. We need more charging stations though. Also, ethanol blending is fine, but flex-fuel vehicles are still rare in India. Hope the infrastructure catches up quickly.
Respectful criticism: While this is a good initiative, I find it ironic that the government often talks about reducing fossil fuel dependence, yet continues to subsidize petrol and diesel heavily. Also, the
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.