Shillong, Nov 3: Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh informed that unannounced power disruptions will be addressed.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Lyngdoh said the ongoing power shutdowns are temporary measures necessary for infrastructure upgrades and new scheme implementations.
“The shutdowns are not load shedding, but rather planned outages to activate new lines and substations,” he said.
When asked whether prior information is given, Lyngdoh said the affected areas are informed through local headmen and sordars.
The minister is confident that the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) will do its best to minimize disruptions.
According to the power minister, the matter was reviewed and he plans further discussions to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the dry season.
“We will try to ensure that there is no power cut even during the dry season,” Lyngdoh said.
He assured to share updates on the progress in the coming weeks.
Solar projects
Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh wanted the Centre to address higher installation costs of solar projects in Meghalaya’s hilly terrain.
Lyngdoh said he had raised the issue during the recently held meeting chaired by the Union Power Minister at Guwahati, Assam.
He highlighted the disparity between the central government’s benchmark cost of Rs 55,000 per kW and the actual cost of Rs 80,000 – Rs 85,000 per kW in Meghalaya. This has led to low uptake of the PM-KUSUM scheme, despite the state’s efforts to enhance the subsidy to 45%.
The current benchmark costs are not conducive to the state’s geography, This has not encouraged or really convinced the beneficiaries to come forward to avail or to benefit from this scheme.
Meghalaya is installing over 2000 additional solar pumps and seeks revised benchmark costs to promote solar energy adoption.
“This is one of the very good schemes of the government of India… we hope to cater to this as it’s one of the only options for power availability,” he said.
