Despite its name meaning the Abode of Clouds, the state government is determined to expand Meghalaya’s solar energy capacity by another 100 megawatts, Power Minister James Sangma said on Thursday.
While previous governments have looked to boost hydroelectric generation to take advantage of the heavy rainfall in the state, the current administration is keen to produce more electricity through investments in solar energy.
Addressing a press conference , Sangma said, “We are exploring the possibility of going in a big way into solar energy. It is a clean energy as well and will help us in generating our own capacity.”
Under the National People’s Party-led government, 90 MW of solar power has been sanctioned and initiated in the state.
“Focusing on more power generation, we will be adding 100 MW of solar generation in the next six months for which the tendering process is presently going on,” the minister said. “Meghalaya has received the highest sanction for this from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.”
