This policy brief distills three years of collaboration between the Government of Odisha, GRIDCO and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to strengthen the state’s coastal power-transmission and distribution (T&D) network against cyclones and floods. Using cyclone- and flood-zonation, exposure mapping and a 16-indicator vulnerability index, the study assessed more than 30 percent of substations and 75 percent of lines—many over 30 years old—within 60 km of the coast. Results reveal that 80 percent of poles and long-span conductors are highly wind-sensitive, while outdated wind-speed maps and single-source feeders heighten outage risk.

The brief recommends: (1) updating building codes, wind-zonation maps and mandatory anemometer installation; (2) creating open data platforms for historic and real-time climate risk; (3) embedding a “resilience” component in all energy policies, standards and financing; (4) establishing cross-sector governance frameworks and partnerships; (5) introducing innovative funding—grants, insurance and catastrophe bonds—to support resilient upgrades; (6) developing targeted training modules; and (7) revising contractual force-majeure clauses to balance public-private risk.