Odisha's Lok Bhavan Goes Solar: 485 kWp Plant Brings Campus to 635 kW Total Capacity

In a significant push toward clean energy, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati inaugurated a 485 kilowatt-peak rooftop solar power plant at Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. The ceremony was attended by KP Mahadevaswamy, CMD of the National Buildings Construction Corporation, which executed the project.

With this addition, the Lok Bhavan campus has now reached a combined solar capacity of 635 kW, marking a tangible milestone in the state's transition toward renewable energy. Governor Kambhampati shared on X that the initiative reflects the government's ongoing commitment to sustainable development and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a greener, self-reliant India.

The solar installations, carried out by NBCC (India) Limited, are spread across multiple buildings within the Lok Bhavan complex. The largest single installation of 191 kWp sits atop the Abhishek banquet hall.

Other installations include the campus garage at 85 kWp, the administrative building at 64 kWp, the Governor's residence at 54 kWp, the energy park at 47 kWp, the police ADC residence at 20 kWp, the navy ADC residence at 14 kWp, and the wellness centre at 10 kWp.

Addressing those gathered, the governor stressed that the global energy crisis and climbing fuel prices make the shift to renewable energy not just desirable but necessary. He called for reducing dependence on imported crude oil and encouraged citizens to adopt electric vehicles in line with PM Modi's appeal to cut petrol and diesel consumption.

The governor also pointed out that growing EV adoption will drive up electricity demand, making it essential that this demand be met through clean sources like solar power rather than fossil fuels. He highlighted PM Surya Ghar Yojana and the Odisha government's subsidy programs as effective tools that allow both households and institutions to install rooftop solar systems at affordable costs.

Beyond solar, the governor referenced complementary efforts such as ethanol blending programs like E20 and E85 and the promotion of flex-fuel vehicles as additional ways to reduce fossil fuel dependence. He noted that Lok Bhavan has already transitioned to electric vehicles for official use, with all these combined steps moving the campus steadily toward its Net Zero target.