“The status, however, depends on favourable weather and uninterrupted functioning of the hydropower units…”
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 15: Meghalaya has transitioned from being a power-deficient to a power-surplus state, Power Minister AT Mondal announced on Thursday.
He, however, said the status depends on favourable weather and uninterrupted functioning of the hydroelectric units.
“All the power generating units of the state are working optimally now,” Mondal said, noting that the total generation stands at 360.75 megawatts, supplemented by Meghalaya’s share from central utilities according to power purchase agreements.
“Our power surplus status will continue as long as all our units are in running condition,” he said.
For instance, the state loses 42 megawatts if one unit of the Leshka power project is down. Even a minor mechanical fault can affect generation, he explained.
Mondal said the government is planning long-term to ensure sustainability. “We want sufficient power consistently by 2030-35,” he added.
Meghalaya currently draws 367.5 megawatts of electricity, including its share from central utilities like NEEPCO and NTPC. The state’s requirement is about 600 million units.
The minister acknowledged the efforts of the state’s leadership in maintaining the status. “Our Chief Minister is trying to ensure our units generate enough power,” he said.
Overhaul of old electric poles
The Power Department has initiated a large-scale overhauling of electric poles identified as hazardous or unfit during an internal survey.
Responding to public concerns following the collapse of electric poles near the MLA Hostel, Mondal said, “We are taking care of these things. There are thousands of poles and we cannot change them at one go.”
The phase-wise overhauling based on priority and risk assessment is being carried out under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme of the Union Power Ministry.
Mondal said the work across the districts is complex and time-consuming.
He clarified the reason behind an official notification issued to caution residents near the Ganol region. “It is normal to alert people so that they can take precautionary measures during cloudbursts and flash floods,” he said.
Sikkim joins NE power committee
Mondal said Sikkim has agreed to become a part of the North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC), marking a significant development in regional energy cooperation. He is the chairman of this committee.
He said Sikkim has been a constituent of the Eastern Regional Power Committee (ERPC), and the demand for its inclusion in the NERPC was growing.
“As a member of the North Eastern Council (NEC), Sikkim shares all developmental funds with the northeastern states. For overall regional development and optimal resource utilisation, it is only logical that Sikkim be integrated into the NERPC framework,” he said.
The matter was taken up during the fourth NERPC meeting held on August 20-21, 2007, where a resolution was adopted to approach the Ministry of Power for Sikkim’s inclusion in the committee and allocation of its power project shares to other northeastern states. The issue resurfaced during the ninth NERPC meeting in August 2010, where members reiterated the need for Sikkim’s inclusion, given its role in the NEC and the central funds allocated to it for power development.
Mondal said the Ministry of Power has now been urged to issue necessary directions to amend the 2005 resolution that constituted the existing ERPC and NERPC frameworks. With Sikkim’s assent, the committee expects improved coordination and equitable power distribution among the northeastern states.
He said Meghalaya will gain from Sikkim’s inclusion in the NERPC. The benefits would be revealed later, he added.