SHILLONG, Feb 18: Once overburdened by financial losses, the MeECL has now cleared most of its outstanding dues to utility providers with the sole exception of the NTPC Ltd.
An MeECL official informed that the NTPC dues have been trimmed down from approximately Rs 664 crore to Rs 565 crore, with the remaining amount scheduled for settlement in 20 instalments.
Full clearance is anticipated by next year, marking a significant milestone in the MeECL’s drive to streamline its finances and minimise future liabilities, the official said.
The official explained that this rigorous debt-clearing effort comes as part of a broader strategy to optimise resource utilisation and protect consumer interests. “Our approach has been to limit power generation during low-demand periods and strategically sell excess capacity when summer market rates are high,” the officer revealed. “Given that generating power at Rs 2-3 per unit is less economical when purchases are made at Rs 5, it makes sense for us to adjust production accordingly.”
In addition to addressing the financial dues, MeECL is also implementing efficient water management practices. “We are managing water judiciously; while water cannot be stored permanently, our plan is to utilise available resources effectively until the rains replenish our reservoirs,” the officer added.
MeECL, which has historically faced pressure and even threats from agencies such as NEEPCO, now benefits from robust governmental support. “We urge our esteemed consumers to stand with us in this endeavour so that no further dues accumulate,” the official emphasised.
In a strategic reallocation of power resources, MeECL has also distributed 53 MW to Tamil Nadu and 35.5 MW to Uttarakhand. This decision reflects a deliberate mix of hydroelectric and thermal power, designed to maintain service continuity despite the challenges in settling payments with certain entities.
