Power deficit affected State economy, says Dhar

SHILLONG: Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday said the main concern of the State is power deficit that has greatly affected its economy.
Speaking at the exhibition on renewable energy at the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) office premises near BSF Camp in Mawpat, Dhar said a lot of thrust has been given to non-conventional energy, which is sustainable as well as eco-friendly.
He said non-renewable energy is needed in day-to-day life, but the usage of renewable energy simultaneously can reduce power consumption to a large extent.
He also said the Government is aware of the importance of development of renewable energy sources to provide the State with a sustainable amount of energy and is committed to extend all support to the ongoing programmes of the MNREDA in the development and promotion of renewable energy.
Principal Secretary for Power M.S Rao said till date, the State is largely dependent on power from hydel projects and other sources of energy like coal, fossil fuel and others.
“Such power generation has not only taken a toll on the environment but it gets exhaustive at a certain period of time,” said Rao.
Globally, importance has been given to clean and sustainable energy that does not depend on exhaustible resources. This includes drawing power from the sun, wind, biogas, biomass and others.
To make the State power-efficient, we need to create awareness among people about the advantages of renewable energy, he said and added that it is not only cost-effective but also sustainable.
He furhter added that such exhibits and demonstration allow students to get first-hand knowledge about the usage of renewable energy and give them an opportunity to contribute to the development of renewable sources of energy.