Shillong: The Meghalaya government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited aiming to enhance the power scenario in the state, a power official said on Tuesday..
The MOUs encompass the Power Portfolio Management Services (PMS) for Meghalaya Discom, the setting up of Pump Storage Power Plants (PSPs), and the implementation of Floating Solar projects in the State.
The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi on Monday evening in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh, and MeECL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Goyal.
The PMS MoU between the Meghalaya government and NTPC Limited will streamline the management and operations of Meghalaya Discom, ensuring efficient distribution of power and improved service delivery to the people.
“It also aims at better power portfolio management of State-owned Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) through a team of professionals thus building upon the strength and expertise of the NTPC in this field. It will also lead to judicious utilisation of own power resources of MeECL as well as better mix and use of renewable and green energy available in the country,” the power department official said.
By leveraging NTPC’s expertise in project management, the power department official this partnership aims to enhance the overall power infrastructure and reduce transmission losses and explore the untapped potential of small hydro projects.
“It will also study the feasibility of setting up the pump storage plants which will generate electricity and the water will be pumped back again to the reservoirs like Umiam so that the water can be used again and again to meet the peak demand,” the official said.
The official also said that the MOU aims at taking Meghalaya ahead in green and clean energy and at the same time aiming at self-sufficiency in power generation.
“The establishment of PSPs will strengthen power connectivity, especially in remote areas, while Floating Solar projects will capitalise on Meghalaya’s resources to generate clean energy,” the official said.
