Odisha to host States’ Energy Ministers Conference
Bhubaneswar, June 19 (UNI) Odisha will take the lead in establishing a Community of Practice for Energy Ministers from various Indian states and host a conference of the Energy Ministers of different states later this year.
A tripartite Letter of Intent (LoI) in this regard was signed on Thursday in New Delhi by the Energy Department of the Government of Odisha, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI).
The LoI was signed by TBI Country Director for India, Vivek Agarwal, IIT Kanpur Dean Professor Sachidanand Tripathy, and FA-cum-Additional Secretary of the Odisha Energy DepartmentDevidutta Tripathy.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo and former United Kingdom Prime Minister and Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Tony Blair, were also present on the occasion.
Blair noted that Odisha has been a pioneer in electricity reforms. The state has attracted significant investment in the renewable energy sector over the past year.
He acknowledged that Odisha faces unique challenges due to its concentration of mineral-based industries and thermal power plants.
Blair expressed his willingness to continue collaborating with the state to accelerate sustainable energy solutions.
Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to a low-carbon future and achieving net-zero emissions.
He stated that the state would adopt a strategic approach aligned with international best practices.
The meeting also discussed the issue of distress migration, particularly from western Odisha.
The Tony Blair Institute has supported the Government of Odisha in drafting its Artificial Intelligence Policy, which has now received cabinet approval.
Vivek Agarwal, TBI’s Country Director for India, said Odisha’s leadership in energy and technology is setting a new benchmark for other Indian states.
“The launch of the Energy Ministers’ Community of Practice is a significant milestone, and TBI is proud to be a part of this journey,” Agarwal said.
