The Department of Energy was created on 24th April, 1990 consequent upon bifurcation of the erstwhile Irrigation and Power Department.  Orissa is the first State in the Country to take up Power Sector Reform to ensure stable and quality power at a reasonable cost. The Energy Department has three Public Sector Undertakings viz: Grid Corporation of Orissa Limited (GRIDCO), Orissa Hydro Power Corporation Limited (OHPC) and Orissa Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC) under  its  Administrative control. The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission(OERC), which is a quasijudisial independent body, ensure a transparent regulatory regime in the power sector of the State.