Hydro project to kick-start

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 3: The 40 megawatt New Umtru Hydro Electric Project is all set to be commissioned within the coming financial year, Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit informed the state Assembly today.

“The first unit is expected to go for trial run in the last week of March this year,” Purohit said while delivering his address on the opening day of the budget session on Friday.

The Governor informed that the other power projects under implementation include the 22.5 MW Ganol Hydro Electric Project with three units in West Garo Hills and 1.5 MW Lakroh Small Hydro Electric Project in East Jaintia Hills.

He also informed that the government was in the process of tying up funding for the renovation, modernisation and up-gradation of the 2X30 MW Umiam stage-III Power Project under the Externally Aided Project Scheme.

“This will extend the life of the project, which was commissioned in 1979, by another 35 years,” he said.

Moreover, the Governor informed the House that Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) were signed with the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and other independent power producers to set up power projects in order to utilise the state’s power potential.

Aiming to achieve 100% village and rural household electrification in the state, Purohit said the government is augmenting and strengthening the power distribution network in the rural areas with implementation of projects under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.

Villages will be electrified through grid where feasible and solar stand-alone systems in remote and inaccessible areas.

Further, he informed that the power transmission network in the state is being augmented with the construction of new 220 KV and 132 KV lines and sub stations.

Under new and renewable energy, governor said that until date, 1,067 KW of solar power plants have been installed in the state.

He also said that work was in progress to install up to 500 KW solar plants in government buildings and 1,700 street lighting systems in Amlarem and Dadenggri Civil Sub-divisions.

At the same time, he said the government was examining proposals to install grid-connected rooftop solar power plants in private and government buildings in line with the central government policy to harness solar energy.