Even as the Power Department in Nagaland struggles with outstanding problems of revenue generation, shortage of manpower and collapsing infrastructure, the most recent damage of its main transformers due to overload has only added to the crisis with supply of electricity expected to be curtailed for the next few months.
Unless the Power Department is able to find replacement or purchase new transformer/s, with Christmas and New Year approaching, the coming holiday season could well add to the gloom and despair.
While this is reality, on paper the picture is actually quite good. Going by the name ‘24×7 Power for All’, this is a joint initiative of the Government of India and the Nagaland government, which has been revealed. And it sounds pretty good. Here is a sample of this ambitious project.
“The State of Nagaland is committed to provide quality life to people of state. Electricity supply serves as an important means to achieve this. The programme of 24×7 Power for All is an important step in this direction and this programme will be implemented by Government of Nagaland (GoN) with the objective to connect the unconnected in phased manner by FY 2018-19 to ensure supply of quality, reliable and affordable power to all category of consumers on 24x7x365 basis”.
This is part of the joint statement signed by Nagaland’s Power Department with the Government of India. The endeavouris to implement the programme within the targeted time frame of Financial Year 2018-19 or even earlier than the targeted date.
As per the assurance given by the Government of Nagaland, it would ensure that all the necessary steps outlined are taken up in terms of “capacity addition, power procurement, strengthening the required transmission and distribution network, encouraging renewable, demand side management & energy efficiency measures, undertaking customer centric initiatives, reduction of AT & C losses, bridging the gap between ACS & ARR, and following good governance practices in implementation of all central and state government schemes”.
The roadmap laid out by the Nagaland government looks impressive. As per the document accessed by The Naga Republic, in order to meet the estimated increased demand for providing 24×7 power supply, the State has already planned additional capacity availability of 157.25 MW by FY 2018-19 through own generating stations, renewable energy sources, central generating stations and long term/medium term PPAs in a phased manner.
Out of this, 72.25 MW shall be added through non-conventional energy sources (Solar & SHP) and balance 85.00 MW through conventional sources.
The document is however honest in admitting that Nagaland State will remain as power deficit state during the period of study (i.e. from FY 2015-16 to FY 2018-19) having deficit in both peak power and energy availability with the exception of FY 2016 – 17in which the State will have energy surplus. It goes on to state that as Nagaland’s generation is heavily dependent on hydro (about 30% to 40% during the study period), the above deficit energy scenario may change on year to year basis depending upon monsoon scenario in the state.
On the brighter side, the Government of Nagaland (GoN) has also proposed implementation of Zungki HEP (24 MW), Lower Tizu HEP (36 MW) and Tizu Valley HEP (15 MW). These projects are likely to be commissioned after FY 2018-19 and will be helpful in meeting the future power requirement of the State of Nagaland.
Also, as per the state’s transmission plan, the Intra-state transmission capacity will be increased to 820.5 MVA at 132 kV level FY 2018-19 which will be adequate to meet the projected Power demand of 265.00 MW of Nagaland by FY 2018-19.
It was informed that the Intra-state transmission system has been planned with an investment of Rs388.94Crores from FY 2014-15 to FY 2018-19 towards capacity addition in the state to meet the requirement as envisaged for 24×7 PFA.
As far as the financial position goes, the forecast is not too good. The document points out that “losses are there and on average 14%- 18% tariff hikes would be required for achieving turn around by FY 2018-19”.
Despite some of the problems faced, the Chief Minister of Nagaland is highly optimistic. According to him as stated in the document, “Nagaland is one of the North-Eastern Indian states offering opportunities for high growth and rapid development”. Ensuring the reliable and affordable power lies at the core of this growth ambition of the State, he states.
The state Government,according to the Chief Minister, “is committed to do everything in order to realize this dream for its citizens and propel the State to be in league of developed States of the Indian Union”. In this regard he points out that “the immediate priorities should be to have a smart power purchase mechanism and revamping of transmission and distribution network”.
Naga Republic News
Readers can click on the link below to view the complete document ‘24x& Power for All’
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