The Government of Odisha has approved an investment of ₹15,948.70 crore to expand and modernise the state’s electricity transmission infrastructure. The investment has been sanctioned under the Mukhya Mantri Shakti Bikash Yojana and is the largest single investment in Odisha’s power sector so far.
The initiative is aimed at improving the reliability of electricity supply, meeting growing power demand and creating infrastructure to support the state’s industrial and renewable energy expansion. Odisha is preparing for more than ₹20 trillion in proposed industrial investments across sectors such as steel, aluminium, semiconductors, data centres and renewable energy.
As part of the transmission upgrade, Odisha will develop its first 765 kV transmission network. Three new grid substations will be established at Khuntuni, Duburi and Kolabira. The project will also include two new 400 kV substations and 10 additional 220 kV substations across the state.
The government also plans to develop 220 kV ring networks in Rourkela, Sambalpur and Bargarh. These networks are expected to strengthen grid reliability and improve the availability of electricity for industrial and urban areas.
The transmission expansion will also play an important role in integrating renewable energy into Odisha’s power system. The upgraded network will support the evacuation of electricity generated from solar projects in western and southern parts of the state. This includes floating solar projects planned on the Hirakud and Indravati reservoirs.
The investment is expected to provide the transmission capacity required to handle increasing renewable power generation while maintaining grid stability. The infrastructure will also help connect new generation projects with major electricity demand centres.
Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) will introduce artificial intelligence-based systems as part of the modernisation programme. AI will be used for predictive maintenance and transmission-line inspections. The technology is expected to help identify potential faults at an early stage, improve maintenance planning and reduce the risk of disruptions.
The state government said the investment will help build a smarter, stronger and more future-ready power transmission system. The expanded network is expected to support Odisha’s long-term industrial development while enabling greater renewable energy integration and improving the overall reliability of electricity supply.
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