SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s Power Minister, James Sangma has asserted that Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) is generating power from eight generating stations with total installed capacity of 354 . 7 mw, generating about 1225. 92 million units of energy annually .
Replying to a cut motion during the ongoing Assembly session here on Tuesday, Sangma said that the generation from eight stations constituted about 50 of the power requirement of the state.
He further added that there were three projects which are under construction for capacity addition and these are Lakroh MHP ( 1.5 MW), Gano SHP ( 22.5 MW ) and Riangdo SHP (3MW) and the total installed capacity with the addition of these projects would reach upto 381.70 mw.
According to Sangma, the old stations which have completed their useful life have to be renovated and the stations which have been renovated are Umiam Stage I, Umiam stage II and Umiam –Umtru stage III and the renovation and upgradation of the plant has been proposed through financial assistance from JICA (ODA).
Sangma also mentioned that many as six medium and large hydro projects have been taken up for survey and investigation with a total capacity of 749 mw, adding as many as 14 small and mini hydel project are also being taken up for for survey and investigation with a total capacity of 62.9 mw
In addition, development of two solar parks of 10 mw each is being taken up by the State with MePGL as implementing agency at Suchen and Thamar even as he added that for augmenting and strengthening the transmission, network in the state, as many as nine transmission projects are being executed.
Stating that the state total allocation is 350. 40 from Central Generating stations, he added that peak demand in the state was around 350.55 mw and unrestricted demand is 475.0 mw.
The Minister is however yet to complete his reply.
Earlier while moving the cut motion, Mawlai MLA PT Sawkmie rued that the state was a surplus power state but now the State has to export power from other places even as he added that the services of the MeECL was average.
Mawsynram MLA, HM Shangpliang stressed on the need to procure good quality transformers since the state is prone to lightning even as he added that repeated accidents have taken place due to the carelessness of the Power department.
Mawphlang MLA SK Sunn who also participated in the discussion lamented that many of the transformers in the state did not have any fencing besides there was no danger signs in the transformers, adding that the Inspectorate of Electricity must be upgraded with manpower.