The Government of Odisha has approved an investment of $213 million in four industrial projects, including three grain-based ethanol plants and one solar project. The projects received approval amid the 102nd meeting of the State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority. They are also collectively expected to create over 1000 employment opportunities within the state.
Among the approved projects are the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.’s (IOCL) 500 kilolitre per day grain-based ethanol plant and 8 MW co-generation power plant against an investment of $117 million. The plant will be set up in Balgopalpur Industrial Estate in Balasore district. Another 500 kilolitre per day grain-based ethanol plant was approved (in two phases) with an investment of $67.2 million. The plant will be set up in Umerkote in Nabarangpur district by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). The government also approved Newalt Energy’s 100 kilolitre per day grain-based ethanol plant along with a compressed biogas plant of 12 tons per day capacity and 2.2MW co-generation power project. The project entails an investment of $16.8 million and will be set up at Nuakheta in Angul district.In addition to the ethanol projects, the Odisha government approved an investment of $12 million for an 18.75 MW solar project to be set up at Saintala, Balangir district, by Aditya Birla Renewables.
The Government of India has set a target of 10 per centethanol blending with petrol by 2022 and 20 per cent blending by 2025. The current investment is line with this target and is expected to enhance the production capacity of ethanol in the country.