SHILLONG: Facing a barrage of criticism from all quarters for the grim power scenario in the State, the Meghalaya Government is now eyeing a long-term solution to address the growing demand for power by implementing the Meghalaya Renewable Energy Policy aimed at tapping the various sources of renewable energy available in the State.
“We are coming up with the Meghalaya Renewable Energy Policy to tap the various sources of renewable energy. The policy presently is in the drafting stage,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who is also the Chairman of the governing body of the Meghalaya Non-Conventional & Rural Development Agency (MNC&RDA), said here on Tuesday.
According to the Chief Minister, there is an urgent need to have a policy on renewable energy to address the problem of power shortage in the State.
Sangma said that the policy would facilitate electrification in remote villages through solar plants.
“After the policy is in place, we expect several solar plants to come up in the State. Besides supplementing the existing power production, it will also help to generate employment opportunity for the people of the State,” he said.
Sangma said the government would soon take steps to identify areas in the State that have potential in biomass for setting up of off-grid plants to supplement the inadequate power supply in the State.
“We have targeted school and college students as the best partners to ensure minimal consumption of power,” he added.
The Power department held a detailed meeting in this regard with officials of the MNC&RDA on this issue.
To encourage consumers to switch over to renewal energy, the State Government will approach the banks to consider giving consumption loan to people for installation of solar energy in their residences.
Apparently government employees will be the first to be encouraged to switch over to solar power as they can easily avail loan from the banks against their salary for installing solar energy in their homes.
Using solar energy in government offices will also make a great economic sense to the state government as the Union Ministry of New & Renewal Energy gives 90 per cent subsidy.
According to a Power department official once the State Government approves use of solar energy in its offices, the MNC&RDA will write to the Union government for providing subsidy to Meghalaya.
Educational institutions will also be encouraged to opt for this power source. In fact sources inform that 41 government educational institutions including U Kiang Nangbah College and Tura Government College now have 3 KW power from photo voltaic cells for their lighting and computer stations.
Following completion of the project in such institutions, sources inform that the government will encourage private ones to follow suit while seeking ways to facilitate funding for such initiatives.
