By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 1: Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh has called for the revival of Central Financial Assistance for Small Hydro Projects, stressing that such support would enable financially constrained states with rich hydro potential to fast-track renewable energy development in remote regions.
Speaking at the Regional Workshop on Renewable Energy – North Eastern Zone held in Guwahati, Lyngdoh said Meghalaya has remained steadfast in its commitment to clean energy since its inception, with an estimated hydropower potential of 3,000 MW, 80 MW of wind, and over 1,000 MW of solar energy. He noted that over 50 per cent of the state’s current power requirement is met from renewable sources, while the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation operates a 100 per cent green portfolio of 367 MW. The Minister outlined several state-led initiatives, including the Meghalaya Power Policy 2024, designed to unlock renewable energy potential through private investment, PPPs, and joint ventures with Central Public Sector Undertakings. Recently, the state allotted two small hydro projects with a combined capacity of 37.5 MW and one large hydro project of 270 MW to private developers. The Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited has also completed Detailed Project Reports for 12 small hydro projects totaling 63 MW, proposed under the PPP model.
Highlighting the progress under the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission launched in 2021, Lyngdoh said 3,500 rural households, 1,609 primary schools, MSMEs, health centers, FPOs, and cold storage units have already benefited from solar hybrid systems with battery backup, supported by subsidies of up to 70 percent. The state has also installed over 10,000 solar street lights with a cumulative capacity of 130 kW and is developing three solar mini-grids of 50 kW each with energy storage and cold storage facilities funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, the government provides a 45 per cent state subsidy for solar pump installations, reducing farmers’ contribution to just 5 per cent, with 2,000 additional pumps currently being installed. Meghalaya is also pushing the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana with sub-division level targets and extensive awareness drives across all 12 districts.
However, Lyngdoh raised concern over the benchmark cost for rooftop solar projects fixed at Rs 55,000 per kWp for the North Eastern states, stating that the actual cost is closer to Rs 80,000–Rs 85,000 per kWp due to challenging terrain and logistics. He urged the Union Ministry to review the benchmark to ensure project viability.
The Minister also lauded the MNRE for easing population criteria under the Model Solar Village guidelines and said Meghalaya’s pilot Solar Village at Hartall in East Jaintia Hills—India’s first to implement virtual net metering—stands as a model for others.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Government for funds sanctioned under the RDSS Scheme to electrify about 2,500 villages and 55,000 households, Lyngdoh reaffirmed Meghalaya’s determination to achieve 100 per cent household electrification and contribute actively to India’s Net Zero goals.
