From Our Correspondent
AGARTALA: When the entire Northeast is facing severe shortage of power, the NEEPCO on Thursday unfolded an ambition plan to add 5000 MW power generation during 12th Five Year plan.
“If the plan is implemented, the Northeast would be power surplus region which is elusive for the rest of the country, said Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) Prem Chand Pankaj at a press conference here.Pankanj who arrived here on a whirlwind visit to review the progress of the Monarchak power project, called on Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Power Minister Manik Dey on Wednesday.
Before leaving the state, the CMD said that the NEEPCO had set a mission to generate 5000 MW power during the 12th Five Year plan period.The NEEPCO, which generates 1130 MW power from five operational power projects in Northeast, has been working five new power plants including 500 MW coal based power plant at Garo Hills and 240 MW Killing Hydro based power project. Besides, the regional power generation body is also planning to set up three power projects in Mizoram to augment the power shortage in the region.
On the Monarchak combined gas cycle power plant, the CMD made it clear that it would be operation by January 2013 next.
Pankaj said that the NEEPCO authority would soon have a discussion with ONGC and GAIL for additional gas supply. “Chief Minister has assured to look into the needs of the NEEPCO”, claimed he.
On the evacuation of power, the CMD said that there would be no problem for evacuation of power from Tripura. “Steps have already been taken to connect Tripura with the national power grid at Bongaigaon in Assam,” he added.
