SHILLONG, OCT 11: State power minister Comingone Ymbon today said that survey and investigation is currently underway for 22 hydro-electric projects, including 16 small hydro projects in the state.
Addressing at the 18th North East Regional Power Committee (NERPC) meeting attended by power ministers from different states of NE, held in Shillong here on Wednesday, Ymbon informed that the state government has envisaged development of solar power park in the state and has taken up development of two solar parks of 10 Mega Watt each.
Stating that the present generation capacity is 354.7 MW, he said that this is with an addition of 40MW after the recent commissioning and declaration of commercial operation of the New Umtru Hydro Electric Project on July 1.
Ymbon, who is also the chairman of the NERPC, further said that the transmission sector in the state is being strengthened and expanded through various schemes, including North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP).
“We have placed proposals in this meeting, which include reliable communication, reconductoring of old lines with HTLS conductor, new sub-stations and lines,” he said while urging the committee to endorse these proposals, which are vital to transmission system capacity and reliability in the state.
He also urged the committee to endorse the proposal to review the funding norm under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF) to facilitate expeditious execution of PSDF schemes.
Lauding the Centre for giving much emphasis in the development of this sector through schemes such as DDUGJY & IPDS with an aim to provide 24X7 power for all by 2019, he said the Prime Minister has launched the Saubhagya scheme for electrification of all households in the entire country by December 2018.
He however said but it is imperative that the sub-transmission system, which is the backbone of the distribution network, be upgraded and strengthened.
“It is a challenge that we must all endeavour to face in order to meet the increasing demand for power and to ensure reliable power supply to all the nooks and corner of the region,” he said.
On the other hand, the power minister also emphasized the need to develop skilled manpower in the region as construction activities of power house, transmission lines, substations are being carried out by skilled people from other regions.
“NERPC secretariat is requested to look into the matter and explore the possibilities to provide relevant skills to the unemployed youths of the region so that these job opportunities can be given to the youths of the region,” he said.
By Our Reporter
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