BHUBANESWAR – The Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) has moved a major proposal before the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), seeking approval for a phased capital expenditure (CAPEX) of ₹3,678.86 crore. The investment is aimed at a massive overhaul of the state’s transmission infrastructure to accommodate rapidly rising industrial demand and strengthen grid resilience.
Focus on Emerging Industrial Hubs:
A significant portion of the proposed investment is earmarked for supporting the state’s burgeoning industrial sectors, particularly in green energy and metals.
- Gopalpur Industrial Park: OPTCL has proposed a 400/220/33 kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at the Tata SEZ in Gopalpur, estimated at ₹435.64 crore. This facility is designed to meet a projected demand of 1,200 MW, primarily driven by upcoming green hydrogen and green ammonia projects.
- Bhadrak Metal & Textile Hub: A second major 400/220 kV substation is planned for Ramakrushnapur in Bhadrak district at a cost of ₹442 crore. The utility cited critical demand from a proposed textile park by Indian Oil Corporation (47–150 MW) and FACOR (145 MW). These facilities will cater to industrial clusters in metals, cement, and food processing, alongside growth in local residential and commercial infrastructure.
Grid Modernization and Disaster Resilience
The expansion plan includes the construction of new 400 kV, 220 kV, and 132 kV grid substations, alongside the systematic replacement of aging equipment. Given Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones, the proposal prioritizes:
- Resilience in Disaster-Prone Zones: Upgrading infrastructure in coastal and backward regions to minimize outages during natural calamities.
- Capacity Augmentation: Strengthening transmission corridors to evacuate power from new renewable energy sources.
Regulatory Oversight:
The OERC has placed the proposal under strict scrutiny, directing OPTCL to provide detailed technical justifications and load-flow studies for the new substations. The regulator has explicitly barred the utility from awarding any new projects under this plan without prior approval, warning of “serious regulatory consequences” for any deviations.
This expansion is part of a broader vision to meet Odisha’s projected power demand of 21,000 MW within the next five years, positioning the state as a reliable power hub for high-capacity industrial investments.
