Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: Odisha has reported a total of 110 electrocution deaths in the last 15 months, Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo informed the State Assembly on Wednesday. The figures were shared in a written reply to a question raised by Bhubaneswar Central MLA Ananta Narayan Jena.

Providing a detailed breakup, the Minister said that 49 fatalities were recorded under Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), 7 under Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL), 27 in Tata Power Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL), and 27 in Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL).

On the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM A) scheme, Singh Deo explained that Odisha was initially sanctioned 500 MW solar capacity, based on substation injection capacity. However, due to poor response to the OERC-fixed tariff of Rs 3.08 per unit, no projects were taken up.

The Centre later reduced Odisha’s capacity to 40 MW, while OERC revised the tariff to Rs 4.40 per unit in 2024. After Power Purchase Agreements were finalized, the Centre approved an additional 50 MW in January 2025. Singh Deo also clarified that Tata Power has never opposed the Kusum-A scheme.

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