Govt set to scrap Kynshi-I hydro power project

SHILLONG, Aug 10: The Kynshi Stage 1 will soon join several hydro power projects that have been scrapped despite having MoUs signed years ago.
Power Minister AT Mondal said the MoU with the independent power producer will be scrapped as they are coming up with a new model which will be supposedly more viable.
He was reacting to the proposal of Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council for the revival and setting up of power projects, such as Rangmaw Hydel Project, Kynshi Hydel Project (Stage 2), thermal power plant in South West Khasi Hills and others.
The minister said as for Kynshi 2, the government will have to rework on the dam’s height since the present planned height is not viable.
On the Mawphu project, Mondal said the government is requesting NGOs to convince people to give their land and permission for the project.
On the envisaged 500 MW thermal power project, NEEPCO has refused to continue with it as it does not want to go for thermal project. The DS group was supposed to develop a 240 MW thermal project but there is no correspondence, the minister said.
He said the government is trying to ensure that some projects come up and that efforts are on to minimize losses.
Apart from Umiam, other hydro power projects in the state are run of the river projects and they generate power to their full capacity during the rainy season. As such, power generation in the state varies from 1 million to 4-5 million units.