By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 19: Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh on Wednesday reaffirmed Meghalaya’s commitment to improving the reliability of power generation, transmission and distribution.
Addressing the 30th North-East Regional Power Committee (NEPRC) meeting in Srinagar on Wednesday, he said the State Load Dispatch Centre continuously works to maintain grid discipline by balancing demand and supply according to national grid standards. He stressed the need for modern technology upgrades and replacement of obsolete infrastructure to enhance efficiency and reliability.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s progress toward clean energy, Lyngdoh announced the recent awarding of two small hydro projects with a combined capacity of 37.5 MW and one large 270 MW hydro project to private developers.
He thanked the NEPRC for approving Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited’s proposal for renovation of switchgears, protection systems, and key 33/11 kV substations, noting that the Detailed Project Report has already been submitted to the PSDF Secretariat. He hoped that the approval process would be expedited.
Lyngdoh emphasised that the Northeast—despite challenges of difficult terrain and geographic isolation—has vast untapped hydro potential, crucial for regional growth.
He congratulated the NHPC on the recent test run of the first 250 MW unit of the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project, the largest hydro project in India.
He reiterated several long-pending demands from Meghalaya and other states in the Northeast, including urgent upgradation of SCADA-EMS systems which, he said, are outdated and vulnerable to cyber threat, extension of AMC for existing SCADA-EMS systems to maintain real-time grid operations, a reasonable AMC offer from vendors to ensure smooth functioning of the SAMAST system and financial support from the Ministry of Power to implement projects listed under the CEA’s Intra-State Transmission Adequacy Report 2034–35, as the required investments exceed the capacity of financially stressed northeastern states.
The other demands include PSDF funding for re-conductoring select transmission lines with HTLS conductors and installing surge arresters in lightning-prone areas and a reconsideration of the Workforce Adequacy Guidelines for Load Dispatch Centres,
which mandate manpower levels disproportionately higher than what smaller Northeastern states require.
Lyngdoh raised concerns over the Indian Electricity Grid Code 2023, under which Meghalaya’s secondary and tertiary reserve requirement for the 2025–26 financial year has been set at 155 MW, nearly 50% of the state’s total installed capacity.
Given the state’s dependence on hydro power and monsoon-driven water availability, he urged the National Load Despatch Centre to revisit the requirement, stating that it poses significant operational challenges.
Further, he emphasised that the Northeast stands at a “pivotal juncture” in its energy transition. He called for collaborative efforts, strategic investments, and strong policy frameworks to ensure sustainable and affordable power for all.
Lyngdoh thanked NHPC for hosting the meeting and expressed hope that the deliberations would lead to practical, effective outcomes for improving the region’s power system.
