Power Minister James PK Sangma today said that the state government is more interested in renewable energy than hydroelectric power projects.
Solar, wind and biomass projects have shorter gestation periods and the government is looking to tap these to meet Meghalaya’s power demands, the minister added.
The state government recently climbed down from pursuing the Umngot hydroelectric power project, which drew widespread opposition from homeowners, farmers, environmentalists and the tourist industry.
According to Sangma, a hydro project would require 10-15 years to be commissioned.
“The problem at hand in Meghalaya is one where we need immediate solutions to the kind of power deficit we face during the lean (dry) season,” Sangma said. “These (renewables) are the kinds of projects we are going towards because they are low hanging fruits in the sense that they have very short gestation times.”
The minister, when pressed on the Umngot project, sought to show minimum interest in it, saying, “I don’t understand why this whole issue has come up or is coming up every now and then because right now Umngot is not on our priority list as I have been mentioning time and time again.”
