Shortages spark Nagaland Minister’s campaign in nation’s ‘power’ capital

September 26, 2024 6 Views No Comment

Dimapur, September 26 (MExN): Nagaland’s Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, K.G. Kenye, is currently camping in the nation’s ‘power’ capital, New Delhi, reportedly to seek solutions to the state’s persistent power shortages. Recognising the urgent energy demands in Nagaland, he has been in active discussions with senior officials from the Ministry of Power, Government of India (GoI), seeking central intervention and support, stated a media statement received here from Kenye’s PRO.

During the discussions, the Minister underscored the immense potential of Nagaland’s largely untapped hydroelectric resources, which have remained underutilised due to significant infrastructural and logistical barriers, it said.

Kenye is advocating for Nagaland’s power development projects under the scheme “Budgetary Support for the Cost of Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP),” a Central Government initiative aimed at accelerating the development of hydroelectric power, particularly in remote and hilly regions like Nagaland, it added.

As per the statement, the scheme offers financial assistance for the development of essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transmission lines, and communication networks—critical prerequisites for any hydroelectric power venture.

In September 2024, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal to modify and enhance this scheme, earmarking Rs 12,461 crore for the nation, out of which Rs 4,136 crore has been allocated to the North-East States. This funding will be implemented from Financial Year 2024-25 through 2031-32.

The revised scheme is designed to address the unique challenges faced by states like Nagaland, providing support not only for physical infrastructure but also for the technical framework required to integrate power generation into the national grid.

Meanwhile, the statement noted that Nagaland’s energy vision extends beyond the immediate need to alleviate power shortages, aiming for long-term sustainable energy development. One of the key elements of the strategy is to leverage the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to facilitate the state’s equity participation in joint ventures with Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs).

This collaborative model will enable the development of large-scale hydroelectric projects, unlocking Nagaland’s full energy potential, it said. The scheme also encourages private sector involvement and includes provisions for pumped storage projects (PSPs), which will help stabilise the grid and enhance the integration of renewable energy sources, it added.

As per the Minister’s office, these modifications could position Nagaland’s hydroelectric sector as a significant driver of socio-economic growth in the state.

To this end, Kenye also met with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to explore the potential for Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects in the North-East Region.

As Nagaland’s geographical landscape is characterised by numerous small rivers and streams, it is ideally suited for SHP projects that are more compatible with smaller water bodies, the statement said.

Although the MNRE already has a programme dedicated to the development of SHP under its renewable energy initiatives, it has been stalled in the NE Region for over a decade, it added.

During his discussions with Union MNRE Secretary BS Bhalla, the Minister stressed the need for enhanced central support to scale these smaller projects across the NE states.

He also urged the Ministry to revive and expedite these long-pending SHP projects.

By focusing on SHP, he noted that Nagaland can harness clean energy from its rivers, create localised employment opportunities, and ensure that off-grid communities benefit from the electricity generated, thus contributing to rural development in the region.