Meghalaya to develop chain of small hydro projects
June 5th, 2011 - 6:59 pm ICT by IANSShillong, June 5 (IANS) Power-starved Meghalaya has decided to develop a chain of small hydro projects to meet the requirements of this mountainous state, an official said Sunday.
“We have identified 44 river basins across the state for developing small hydro power projects to generate 483.70 mega MW of power,” additional chief secretary in-charge of power B.K. Dev Varma told IANS.
Meghalaya, once a power surplus state, presently generates only 186.70 MW and has a share of 200 MW from central utilities.
Till a decade ago, Meghalaya generated surplus power and sold it to neighbouring states. But today, the state shells out about Rs.20 crore for purchasing power every month.
The situation may not improve in the near future as many of the hydel power projects under construction are running behind schedule.
Of the 44 basins, Varma said the Central Electricity Authority has identified 31 sites for exploration and execution of eco-friendly small hydro projects.
He said the small hydro division of the state-owned Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited is conducting surveys and execution of small hydro projects up to the capacity of 25 MW as per the guidelines of the ministry of new and renewable energy.
Stating that Meghalaya has a high potential for development of small hydro projects, Varma said that three projects — Umtrew, Umïam Stage-II and Lakhroh — are under execution.
However, the renovation of the Sonapani Mini Hydel Project (1.5 MW), which has been lying defunct since 1984, has been completed, the official said.
“With the present crisis of power shortage in the state and long gestation periods in execution of medium and major hydro electric projects, it is desirable to go in for the exploration and execution of eco-friendly small hydro projects to tide over the power shortage in the state,” Varma said.
He said the new and renewable energy ministry, Rural Electrification Corporation and North Eastern Council will fund these projects.
- 1922 built hydel project re-commissioned - Dec 16, 2011
- Myntdu Leskha hydel project commissioned - Feb 29, 2012
- Meghalaya may shift power project for uranium deposits - Dec 17, 2011
- Meghalaya for a new body to boost power output - Sep 30, 2010
- Northeast to generate 5,000 MW more in next few years - Jul 07, 2011
- Nitish Kumar's house, office to go green - Jul 29, 2011
- Dhumal lays stone of 36 MW hydro project - May 14, 2011
- Uttar Pradesh to add 500 MW of power by June - May 17, 2012
- Energy firm Soham raises Rs.125 crore from SBI fund - Nov 07, 2011
- Power crisis grips northeast India - Apr 10, 2010
- 21 hydro projects to start in Himachal this year - Jan 07, 2011
- Protect Chenab river from onslaught, say Himachal villagers - Jan 30, 2012
- Eco-friendly hydel projects must for northeast: Minister - Jul 26, 2011
- Three hydel power plants to come up in Mizoram - Jul 18, 2011
- No power cuts during FIFA World Cup, promises Meghalaya - Jun 03, 2010
Tags: central electricity, central utilities, chief secretary, conducting surveys, electric projects, electricity authority, energy corporation limited, energy ministry, gestation periods, hydel power, hydro power projects, hydro projects, mountainous state, power shortage, river basins, rural electrification corporation, shillong, small hydro power, state shells, surplus power