Power crisis in Meghalaya likely to worsen in future

SHILLONG, Aug 6: Electricity-starved Meghalaya is facing tougher times ahead with no power project expected to be completed in the next 7-8 years.
Government officials told The Shillong Times that the gap between the demand and the supply of electricity is likely to expand due to the poor availability of power.
Electric vehicles have added to power-driven electrical appliances, electronic gadgets, and mobile phones, thereby increasing the consumption of energy and putting more pressure on the power generation and distribution companies, an official said.
“The inability to add to the state’s generation any time soon is our biggest worry,” he said.
The government is currently working on the second phase of the 280 MW Myntdu-Leshka Hydropower Project and the Kynshi Hydropower Project with a capacity to generate more than 400 MW of power.
These projects were conceived a decade ago but the work is far from complete for various reasons. “Given the time hydropower projects generally take, these projects will take at least 7 years,” the official said.