Conrad calls for awareness campaign on energy efficient technologies

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has asked the state Power Department to create awareness on energy efficient devices like LED bulbs, solar lights, geysers etc.

The CM along with Power Minister, James Sangma held a meeting on Thursday at MeECL Integrated Complex, Lumjingshai.

He said the state government was looking at improving power efficiency in the state along with different mini-hydro projects as well as renewable energy initiative.

He added a review meeting would be held next month on the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses (AT and C) and also will hold reviews with different departments to figure out how to improve the overall productivity of MeECL and to ensure financial stability.

Sangma said the meeting of the MeECL touched all aspects such as the challenges and the AT and C losses, current status of schemes such as Saubhagya scheme, load shedding, overall efficiency of MeECL as a Corporation.

There were discussions on AT and C losses -Normal technical losses, Aging lines and transformers, overloading of lines and distribution transformers, Reduction in ratio of High Tension lines to low tension lines (due to extensive implementation of rural electrification), Commercial loss due to low billing efficiency, Power theft, Collection from consumers and Non adherence to billing cycle.

The meeting also came up with action plan to reduce AT and C loss such as Renovation of the existing network and strengthening through various schemes, Capacity augmentation of lines and sub-stations, etc., IT enabled web-based application and billing software, use of pre-paid meter.