By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 7: The problem of load-shedding may continue for some more time although the state has started generating power after improved rainfall.
Government sources told The Shillong Times that when the state had been going through power crisis for more than two months, a power generating company rescued it by lending power. The condition was that the state will return the same when its own power scenario improves.
Meghalaya, which borrowed around 400 million units of power from the entity, has started returning it. As such, load shedding will continue for some more time, the sources said.
During that crisis, the state government purchased power at a high rate of around Rs 10 per unit and spent around Rs 3 crore every day.
The problem with Meghalaya is that almost all its power generating units are run-of-river projects. The generation of power by these projects depends on the river’s water level.
The government is seriously exploring the possibility of constructing some more hydro projects. In the last decade or so, only three projects like MLHEP, New Umtru and Ganol Hydro power project were commissioned.
The demand for power has increased substantially and it will increase further with the arrival of electric vehicles in the state.
It was learnt the government is looking to develop Kynshi power project but some architectural challenges have appeared at the site due to the presence of uranium.
The Umiam hydro power project contributes around 25% of the state’s power requirement while the Ganol power project, inaugurated recently, contributes around 7%.
End power cuts: NEHUSU
Members of the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) met Power Minister AT Mondal on Friday and urged him to withdraw the load-shedding in view of the ongoing semester exams in the varsity.
Stating that the examinations will continue till August, NEHUSU urged Mondal to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the NEHU campus, greater Mawlai area and other parts of the state.
