Meghalaya and NEEPCO Sign MOU for New Hydroelectric Projects

SHILLONG: In a step towards increasing the generation of renewable energy in the state, the Meghalaya government has signed an agreement with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited. The state currently faces a deficit of 300 MW of power.

The Memorandum of Understanding was towards the development of 50 MW Wah Umiam Stage-I and 100 MW Wah Umiam Stage-II Hydro Electric Projects.

Power Minister of Meghalaya, Prestone Tynsong mentioned how the state has been confronted with power shortages over so many years and several governments. Despite the state having ample possibilities for hydroelectric dams, it is still unable to generate even 350 MW of power against the requirement of 650 MW.

"There is a power deficit of 50% and the agreement with NEEPCO should translate into a reality (for addressing the issue)," said the minister.

Tynsong said Meghalaya has been receiving free power from the Kopili HEP since its inception in 1984. It is located on the Assam-Meghalaya border. After the two projects in the Wah Umiam basin are commissioned, the state will receive an overall 13% of free power from all three mentioned power minster.

The power received would be worth Rs 65 crore annually, out of which 2-3% would be utilised for local area development apart from other sectors such as education, health and entrepreneurial opportunities around the project areas.

He also mentioned the state's huge potential in renewable energy. New agreements will be signed in the future to upgrade these capacities. Also, more research will be conducted across the river basins to conduct feasibility studies of many small projects.

Speaking about the dormant project in the state, the minister informed that the state will review private investments and agreements. And futile ones will be scrapped if needed and new allocations will be made.

The government had scraped the MoAs of the 270 MW Kynshi Stage-I and the 325 MW Kynshi Stage-II hydroelectric projects with Athena Power Private Limited and JayPee Group respectively after both parties expressed their inability to continue forward.

Also Read: NFR to Run Two Pairs of Chhath Puja Special Trains

Also Watch :