The State government today signed an agreement with NEEPCO for the development of two hydro electric projects located in the Umiew river along the border between Mawsynram and Sohra.
The power projects are Wah Umiam Hydro Electric Project (50 MW) Stage-I and Wah Umiam Hydro Electric Project (100 MW) Stage-II.
The agreement was signed by Dikki D. Shira, Joint Secretary of Meghalaya Power Department and Anil Kumar, Director Personnel, NEEPCO.
“I am happy to inform you that the agreement signed in 2019 for Umiam Stage III is in the final stage and I’m sure NEEPCO will immediately start the implementation process,” said Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong who was witness to the signing of the agreement.
He added that once these power projects are completed the State will be able to avail the benefit of free power by 13 per cent.
“When roughly calculated it comes to about 981 million units and if converted to per unit at the rate of Rs 5 per unit we will be getting maximum benefit,” Tynsong said.
He also said that for the other projects signed today, the officials from NEEPCO will go to the ground tomorrow to work things out.
“The State government extends its support including the different connected agencies and other departments. I assure that we are there with you to ensure this project is completed at the earliest,” Tynsong said.
Tynsong also said that power generation is the main problem faced by the State from time to time.
“Presently, the government can generate only 350 MW of power whereas the requirement in the State is 650 MW which shows a huge deficit in the demand and supply of power,” he added.
Tynsong also informed that the State government has been looking for ways and means for the possibility of transformation in the power sector hence the tie up with the CPSU (Central Public Sector Undertaking) in the form of NEEPCO is very much needed.
He stated that in previous years many such memorandums of agreements were signed with private sectors but had to be scrapped due to various reasons. He was hopeful that with NEEPCO being a government entity, the signing of agreement will not just be in mere paper but will be translated into reality.
Tynsong also stated that Meghalaya has the potential for hydro projects which is not less than 3000 MW, presently less than 250 MW can be generated and he also expressed his optimism that the Government and NEEPCO should sign more agreements in the future.
He further added that the public hesitancy can be removed when the government is associating with the CPSU rather than with public investors.
Stressing that the government along with the NEEPCO is leaving no stone unturned in maximising the power generation capacity within the State, Tynsong urged the Power Department and NEEPCO to work jointly in making Meghalaya a surplus producer of power and a State which can be able to export the same in the near future.
