By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Wednesday informed the Assembly that the State Government will soon come up with the ‘Meghalaya Renewable Energy Policy’ to tackle power deficiency in the State.
Dr Sangma also informed that the Government has decided to review and revamp the Meghalaya Non-Conventional and Rural Energy Development Agency (MNREDA).
The Chief Minister made the announcement on the floor of the House while replying to a Cut Motion moved by NPP legislator James Sangma on the style and functioning of the MNREDA with special focus on solar energy.
The Chief Minister was of the opinion that there was a need for a comprehensive policy to tap renewable energy.
He said that there are villages in the State that cannot be connected with the power grid and this is where solar and renewable sources of energy can play an important role. Besides, off grid power is much cheaper, the Chief Minister added.
He also said that the Government has decided to come up with a programme on hybrid power whereby many means will be used to generate power.
Power will be generated from hybrid units with the help of biomass.
Dr Sangma said with hybrid method, 500-1000 litres of drinking water can be supplied by each plant and it can light up 30-40 houses.
Dr Sangma, while holding a view that new technology should be used for meeting power demands, said that five years back the power demand in Garo Hills was around 25 MW which has now gone up to 50-60 MW.
The Chief Minister also advocated for sensitizing people on energy conservation and minimizing the use of energy, and for this the Government has engaged young students to create awareness on the need for energy conservation.
Earlier, while moving the cut motion, James Sangma expressed surprise that solar plates were stolen from the high security Raj Bhavan. He also asked the Government to simplify the process for beneficiaries availing solar lights from the MNREDA in rural areas.