19 projects pending for years
SHILLONG: As many as 19 power projects are pending to be implemented in Meghalaya at a time when the State does not have sufficient power to address the current shortage.
Out of 19 projects, 14 had gone to private power companies which are yet to execute the allotted projects in time. While three small projects were allotted to MeECL, only two went to NEEPCO (85 MW Mawphu hydel project and 500 MW Darugiri thermal power project in East Garo Hills).
Among the power projects, some of the agreements with private power companies were signed 10 years ago (2007).
Sources said many of the MOUs signed with private developers were as recent as 2014 and 2015, but the matter was not discussed in the State Cabinet and if at all discussed, it was not disseminated to the public for transparency.
As per the state power department data, the power generated from the existing hydel power sources, including Leshka and Umiam developed by the government, is only 314.70 MW whereas the demand for power is double than the current availability.
As per data, the hydel power projects which are still under implementation by state-owned MeECL are Lakroh Mini Hydel project (1.5 MW), New Umtru project (40 MW), which are likely to be completed this year, and Ganol project (22.5 MW) the work order for which was allotted in January 2014 and the deadline for completion is 2018.
The hydro projects allotted to private companies on Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis include Umduna project (57 MW) and Umjaut project (69 MW) to be developed by ETA Star Infrastructure Ltd, Mumbai, Kynshi Stage 1 project (270 MW) entrusted to Athena Kynshi Power Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, Rangmaw Project (65 MW) being executed by Sew Energy Ltd, Hyderabad, Kynshi Stage II project (325 MW) by Jaypee Meghalaya Power Ltd, New Delhi, and Upper Khri Stage I and Stage II (15 and 10 MW, respectively) allotted to SM Energenco Ltd (Guwahati). Memoranda of understanding signed for these projects are from 2007 till 2014.
As per the government data, the hydro ‘self-identified’ projects allotted to private parties to be developed on Build-Own-Operate basis include Nongummer Small hydro electric project (18 MW) entrusted to VARKS-AVCO JV, Hyderabad, Umlun Micro Hydel project (25 MW) by Anderson Tea Estate Shillong, Umran Small hydro electric project (10 MW) by JMD Aqua Power Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, and Mawrap Mini Hydel project (1 MW) by Umphyrnai VV Energy Consortium. The MoUs signed for these projects are from 2013 to 2015.
The thermal power projects allotted to private developers include Nangalbibra project, South Garo Hills (240 MW) by Dharampal Satyapal Ltd, New Delhi, Narringre, East Garo Hills (300 MW) by GC Power Private Limited, Hyderabad, and Captive Thermal Power project, Shallang, West Khasi Hills (60 MW) by Brijraj Power and Metallics Ltd, Shillong.
MoUs of these projects were signed from 2010-11. As far as thermal projects are concerned, with the ban on coal mining, the State Government has to depend on coal linkages.