SHILLONG: Aiming to harness wind energy to augment the power generation in the state, wind mapping is being undertaken by Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) with the support of National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai to assess the wind potential at different locations of the state by installing Wind Monitoring Stations at 50 meters height.
Informing this on Wednesday, Power Minister James K Sangma said that the state government had come up with a proposal to implement Wind Farm to augment the power generation in the state
Replying to a query raised by Independent MLA SK Sunn, Sangma elaborated on the project stating that a pilot project on wind energy was sanctioned by the government during 2011-2012 for an amount of Rs 700 lakhs to be implemented by Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
“However, the said project could not implemented so far as there was no response to the tender issued despite the tender submission date being extended three times,” Sangma said.
In reply to as supplementary query, James informed that the wind power project will be located at Umshong village in East Jaintia Hills.
Adding a dose of humour, Sunn asked, “Just for academic interest, what is the wind speed?” to which Sangma could not provide a reply and said he requires notice.
Similarly, Congress MLA Charles Pyngrope said, “I hope the project is not gone with the wind,” which evoked laughter in the Assembly.
He asked on the number of sites identified to which Sangma said that there were 3 sites identified in 2007, 7 sites were identified in 2015-16 and 50 sites were identified in 2016-17.
On the other hand, the bell to signify the end of question hour saved James from further replying to the query by Pyngrope when he asked on the area required for 1 MW wind power plant.