'15 power projects under implementation in Meghalaya'

A correspondent

Shillong, April 10: State Power Minister James K Sangma on Tuesday informed the Meghalaya Assembly that 15 power projects are under implementation by different agencies as of April 1, 2018.

According to Sangma, six hydro projects have been allotted to central agencies and private developers under the Build Operate Own Transfer (BOOT) Basis.

These are Kynshi Stage I hydroelectric project of 270 mega watt, Rangmaw hydroelectric project of 65 mega watt, Kynshi Stage II hydro-electric project of 325 mega watt, Mawphu hydroelectric of 85 mega watt, Upper Khri Stage I hydroelectric project of 15 mega watt and Upper Khri Stage II hydro electric project of 10 mega watt is under implementation.

According to the power minister, the detailed project report for the Kynshi Stage I hydroelectric project is completed and Techno-Economic Clearance (TEC) has been accorded by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

“Land acquisition for the project is under progress,” Sangma said.

For the Rangmaw hydroelectric project, the power minister said the survey and investigation works is in progress.

“The developer has requested for a revised domain since the project is not feasible within the allotted elevations. A joint visit with the MeECL is being arranged to verify the claims of the developer,” the power minister added.

Sangma also informed the House that for the 325 mega watt Kynshi Stage II hydroelectric project, the survey and investigation works are in an advanced stage.

“Due to the presence of the uranium deposits in the reservoir area, preparation of detailed project report is being held up. Clearance was received from UCIL in December 2014,” Sangma stated.

The power minister also said that the Department of Atomic Energy has asked for mining and removal of uranium deposits in the reservoir area before the implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, four hydroelectric power projects that have been allotted to private developers on build, own, operate basis are – Nongummer Small Hydro Electric Project of 18 mega watt, Umlun Micro Hydel Project of 50 kilo watt, Umran Small hydro electric project of 10 mega watt and Mawrap mini- hydel project of 1 mega watt.

There are also two thermal power projects allotted to central agency and private developer – Thermal power projects ngalbibra of 240 mega watt capacity in South Garo Hills and the other at Darugiri of 500 mega watt capacity in East Garo Hills.

Dharampal Satyapal Ltd. New Delhi is the private developer for the ngalbibra Thermal project and the memorandum of association was signed on March 5, 2010 and for the Thermal Power Project at Darugiri, the memorandum of association was signed on March 17, 2011.

The power minister also informed the House that for the ngalbibra Project, the detailed project report has been completed and application for environmental clearance has been submitted, while site has been identified for the thermal project at Darugiri.

Sangma also admitted that the ban on coal mining in the State by NGT has had its effect on the two projects.

Under the New and Renewable Energy Project there are three projects – Byrnihat (24 mega watt), Ampati (48 mega watt) and Mendipathar (48 mega watt) under the Closed Loop Vertical Turbine.

For these particular projects, M/S Renew Joule Pvt. Ltd., Shillong is the private developer and the memorandum of association was signed on December 12, 2017 and it was amended on February 12, 2018.

Congress legislator from Mawsynram, Himalaya Shangpliang wanted to know the status of the Mawphu power project that was signed in 2012 and when the project will be completed after getting the go-ahead by authorities.

The power minister said the survey and investigation was taken up in September 2012 and the detailed project report is under appraisal by the CEA. Sangma also said that TEC clearance was awaited from the CEA.

On the time to be taken for completion of the project, Sangma informed the House that tentatively it takes five years for completion of a project after getting TEC clearance.