CM wants to improve power efficiency in state

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has asked the state Power Department to create awareness on energy efficiency technology light LED bulbs, solar lights, geysers and others.
The CM along with Power Minister, James Sangma held a meeting on Thursday at MeECL Integrated Complex, Lumjingshai.
He said the state government is looking at improving the efficiency of power in the state along with different mini hydro projects as well as renewable energy.
He added a review meeting will be held next month on the Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses (AT and C).
He will also 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 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.
It also came up with an action plan to reduce AT and C loss such as renovation of the existing networks and strengthening through various schemes, capacity augmentation of lines and sub-stations, IT enabled web based application and billing software including the use of prepaid meters.