**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response to Unstarred Question No. 662 in Lok Sabha, concerning the installation of solar mini-grids in tribal areas of Odisha. The response details the steps taken by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to expand renewable energy access, progress of tribal-focused renewable energy schemes, achievements and funds released to Odisha under various programs, and whether the Government proposes to establish Renewable Energy Clusters or Solar Livelihood Hubs in tribal districts of Odisha. The response was given on 03.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives:**
* MNRE is implementing the New Solar Power Scheme under PM JANMAN and DA JGUA to provide off-grid systems (Solar Home Lighting Systems/Solar Mini Grids) to tribal and PVTG households, multi-purpose centers, and public institutions where grid connection is not feasible.
* Under the DDUGJY scheme, OREDA has installed 64 solar mini-grids with a cumulative capacity of 1229 kW across several districts.
* **Solar Mini-Grid Distribution (by District):**
* Gajapati: 8 villages, 135 kW capacity, 469 households electrified.
* Ganjam: 28 villages, 428 kW capacity, 1288 households electrified.
* Keonjhar: 3 villages, 77 kW capacity, 333 households electrified.
* Koraput: 14 villages, 245 kW capacity, 790 households electrified.
* Mayurbhanj: 2 villages, 65 kW capacity, 215 households electrified.
* Raygada: 4 villages, 226 kW capacity, 734 households electrified.
* Koraput: 5 villages, 53 kW capacity, 184 households electrified.
* Total: 64 villages, 1229 kW capacity, 4013 households electrified.
* **Other Achievements:**
* OREDA has installed 28 solar cold storages across Odisha.
* Under PM JANMAN and DA-JGUA, DISCOMs have electrified 8,359 unelectrified tribal households through off-grid solar systems, and 2,364 have been connected through micro-grids.
* **Funds Released (FY 2022-23 to 2024-25):**
* PM KUSUM (Standalone Off-Grid Solar Agriculture Pumps): 4925 installed, ₹3,44,00,000 released.
* Rooftop Solar Programme (Rooftop Solar Plants): 3844 installed, ₹28,97,13,569 released.
* Biogas Programme (Biogas Plants): 241 installed, ₹40,64,550 released.
* **Renewable Energy Clusters/Solar Livelihood Hubs:**
* No such program is being undertaken.
**Impact Analysis**
**MNRE and OREDA**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and overseeing renewable energy projects in tribal areas.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing the New Solar Power Scheme, DDUGJY, PM KUSUM, and other relevant programs.
**Tribal and PVTG Households**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of improved access to electricity through solar mini-grids and other renewable energy solutions.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the provided energy systems and participate in relevant programs.
**Government of Odisha**
* **Impact:** Responsible for collaborating with the central government in implementing renewable energy projects in Odisha.
* **Action Required:** Continue providing data to the central government regarding Odisha's progress.
**DISCOMs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for electrifying unelectrified tribal households through off-grid solar systems and micro-grids.
* **Action Required:** Maintain and expand the number of tribal households electrified through off-grid systems.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): The central ministry responsible for implementing the New Solar Power Scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): A scheme under which the New Solar Power Scheme is implemented for tribal and PVTG habitations/villages.
Dharti Aabha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA JGUA): A scheme under which the state DISCOMs has electrified 8,359 nos. of unelectrified tribal households through off-grid solar systems.
Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA): The agency responsible for installing solar mini-grids in Odisha.
Odisha: The state where the solar mini-grid installation and related renewable energy initiatives are focused.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 662
ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR MINI-GRIDS IN TRIBAL AREAS
662. SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to expand renewable energy access and installation of
solar mini-grids, micro-hydel systems and off-grid power solutions in tribal and remote
districts of Odisha particularly Kandhamal, Boudh, Rayagada and other scheduled areas;
(b) the progress of tribal-focused renewable energy schemes such as household solarisation,
solar streetlights, solar study lamps, distributed livelihood equipment, solar cold storage units
and other Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) based interventions supported by the
Ministry in the said State;
(c) the achievements and funds released to Odisha under Pradhan Mantri-Krishi Urja
Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Rooftop Solar Programme, Solar
Pumping, Biomass and Biogas programmes during the last three years especially in tribal
areas; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to establish Renewable Energy Clusters or Solar
Livelihood Hubs in tribal districts of Odisha to support agriculture, rural enterprises and
community livelihoods and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing the New Solar Power
Scheme (for Tribal and PVTG Habitations/Villages) under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi
Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and Dharti Aabha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
(DA JGUA). Under the scheme, off-grid systems (Solar Home Lighting Systems/Solar Mini
Grids) are provided to tribal and PVTG households, multi-purpose centers and public
institutions in Tribal and PVTG areas where grid-connected electrification is not techno-
economically feasible.
Under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) scheme, Odisha Renewable
Energy Development Agency (OREDA) had installed total 64 nos. of solar mini-grids having
cumulative capacity of 1229 kW. The district wise distribution is given below.
Mini Grid Nos of
Sl. Nos of
District capacity Households
No Villages
(in kW) electrified
1 Gajapati 8 135 469
2 Ganjam 28 428 1288
3 Keonjhar 3 77 333
4 Koraput 14 245 790
5 Mayurbhanj 2 65 215
6 Raygada 4 226 7347 Koraput 5 53 184
Total 64 1229 4013
(b) & (c) As per information received from Government of Odisha, the OREDA has installed
28 nos. of solar cold storages across the state. Also, under PM JANMAN and DA-JGUA,
DISCOMs of the state has electrified 8,359 nos. of unelectrified tribal households through
off-grid solar systems and 2,364 nos. of unelectrified tribal households have been connected
through micro-grids.
The achievements and funds released to Odisha under Pradhan Mantri-Krishi Urja Suraksha
evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Rooftop Solar Programme and Biogas
Programme of the Ministry during the FY 2022-23 to 2024-25 are as follows:
Sl. Schemes Systems Installed CFA
No. (Nos.) Released in
(Rs.)
1. PM KUSUM Standalone 4925 3,44,00,000
Off-Grid
Solar
Agriculture
Pumps
2. Rooftop Rooftop 3844 28,97,13,569
Solar Solar
Programme Plants
3. Biogas Biogas 241 40,64,550
Programme Plants
(d) No such programme is being taken up.
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