Power Minister AT Mondal calls for NERPSIP extension, highlights hydro and solar potential

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 29, 2025

Following the regular practice, the Regional Power Ministers’ Conference was held at Gangtok, Sikkim on April 26. Power Minister AT Mondal and Director (Distribution), MePDCL represented the State of Meghalaya.

On the matter related to NOC from the Meghalaya to set up the Pump Storage Projects (PSPs), AT Mondal raised the issues that the modality proposed by the MoP vis-à-vis NTPC to set up the PSP is not favourable to the State of Meghalaya. 

In this regard, AT Mondal apprised the Union Minister that the state should be beneficial like in the case of normal Hydel power projects. The concern of the state was flagged many times but no response is received yet. The union Minister Power Govt. of India assured that the Ministry will work out modalities which will help the State as well the CPSUs. It was also requested that Meghalaya may explore the set up of Solar Power Plant as well.

Power Minister AT Mondal, also requested the union Minister Power Govt. that Meghalaya has the immense potential for Hydro Power. To set up the small hydro Power Plant, the help from the Govt. of India is very much required. The matter was discussed at length and the Union Minster directed the officers of the Union Ministry to work out all the modalities.

AT Mondal also apprised the forum that though the State of Meghalaya is committed to have a robust resource adequacy plan in place to ensure that there is no probability of loss of load at any point of time, however, there have been some observations of the State on the Final Resource Adequacy Plan prepared by CEA and the concerns have been raised before CEA and reply from the CEA is awaited. The Union Minister assured early action on the same.

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As far as enhancement of transmission Capacity of state is concern; to strengthen the Transmission capacity in state to cater the future load growth, the Ministry of Power Govt of India may introduce the scheme like NERSIP to enhance of transmission Capacity all northern States.

He also informed the forum that Power Sector in Meghalaya has improved a lot in last five years, where Meghalaya has seen as steady improving in Billing and Collection figures of MePDCL as well as significant decline in AT&C losses from 32% in 2019 to 17% in 2024.

The Minister also thanked the Union Power Ministry for sanctioning the additional house holds for electrification for which work will start soon.