Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal said that the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission, an intervention conceptualised by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, has been launched by the Meghalaya government which is set to revolutionise energy access in the State.
Mondal along with a high-level delegation, participated in a crucial meeting organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India and chaired by the Union Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, R K Singh at New Delhi yesterday to discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting renewable energy in the North East states.
During the meeting, Mondal highlighted the progress made by Meghalaya in the renewable energy sector, the challenges faced by the State and the various initiatives undertaken by the State government to promote renewable energy through a demand-driven and problem-solving approach.
“The Government of Meghalaya has successfully implemented Solar Cold Storage and Solar Food Processing units, enabling efficient and sustainable energy utilisation in the State. These initiatives not only ensure energy security but also contribute to the preservation of agricultural produce and support local industries,” he said.
Mondal also sought for review of the financial support or subsidy given to SHP to the tune of Rs 7.5 crore per MW for a project of 1 to 25 MW of SHP which was stopped for sometime now which was agreed by the Union Minister to look into it very soon.
He also pointed out about the feasibility of Pump Storage Projects (PSP) as Meghalaya is having huge potential and 4 PSP Projects were identified with the technical support of NTPC having capacity of about 3,100 MW but the only problem is how to fund such a project.
Mondal requested the Union Power Minister to provide financial and technical assistance as this intervention will ease away the power crisis of the State.
Meanwhile, Commissioner and Secretary (Power) Sanjay Goyal proposed the concept of floating solar panels as an innovative solution for Meghalaya.
According to him, this technology can harness solar energy efficiently by utilising water bodies in the state, thereby maximising energy generation and land use.
Among the other suggestions given by the Meghalaya delegation were increased Central financial assistance in the Solar RoofTop scheme and steps to explore the possibilities of joint ventures in Solar Parks and Pump Storage Scheme.
The Meghalaya delegation underscored the need for a rethinking of the central schemes for the State and the need for a customised approach suited to the particular needs of the State.
