New Delhi: Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister, Chowna Mein, on Monday provided an overview of the state’s progress in the power sector during the Conference of Ministers of Power and New & Renewable Energy of States and Union Territories at Bharat Mandapam here.
The event was chaired by Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, R K Singh.
Mein, in his address, underscored the substantial advancements made in Arunachal’s power sector, crediting these achievements to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Minister Singh.
He highlighted that on August 12, 2023, the Arunachal government allocated 12 mega-hydro projects with a collective capacity exceeding 11,500 MW to three Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
Mein stressed that the successful implementation of these projects would not only boost the state’s economy but also enhance the nation’s energy security through clean and renewable sources.
He further emphasized the Arunachal government’s commitment to ensuring the timely execution of these projects.
Addressing the challenges posed by Arunachal’s rugged terrain and dense forest areas, Mein discussed various components of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), designed to modernize the state’s power systems and reduce historically high Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses.
He also mentioned the successful commissioning of essential high voltage transmission lines, specifically the 132 KV Roing-Chapakhowa line and the upcoming 220 KV Kathalguri-Namsai line, which will significantly improve power supply reliability across large portions of the state.
Deputy CM Mein also reported the initiation of the Golden Jubilee Border Village Illumination Program earlier in the year. This programme aims to provide electricity to remote villages along international borders, involving the operation of 50 micro-hydel projects with standalone distribution systems to ensure uninterrupted power supply to residents and defense establishments.
Seventeen projects from the first phase have already been completed and were inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Kibithoo, one of the vibrant villages in Arunachal.
These projects are now making a significant positive impact on the lives of citizens in these challenging border areas.
Additionally, Mein shared that the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which had been inactive since 2019, has been reconstituted and is now operational, having issued a tariff order for the current year.
Union Minister Singh commended the state’s vast energy potential and anticipated increased revenue inflows to the state as a result of these power sector initiatives.
Mein during the conference also presented a slew of visionary agendas at a recent conference, outlining the state’s commitment to harnessing renewable energy and enhancing its power infrastructure.
Mein’s proposals encompassed a wide range of initiatives aimed at accelerating Arunachal’s energy transition and bolstering its electricity infrastructure.
Some of the key highlights from his presentation included achieving a 100% target for distributing 200 solar water pumps under the PM-KUSUM Scheme for 2021-22, with plans to increase the target to 500 for the current year.
Submitting a demand requirement of 1 MW for Rooftop Solar Power Program Phase II to MNRE, deployment of an expert team to identify high solar potential areas and provide technical guidance for a state-wide survey and identifying Sela Pass as a feasible location for wind energy projects and proposing a detailed techno-commercial study for its implementation.
Finalizing Green Open Access Rules to provide green open access to entities with a load above 100 KW and seeking the assistance of a PSU like NEEPCO to identify potential sites for Pump Storage Plants (PSPs) were some of the agendas presented on the day among several others.
The deputy CM also emphasized critical requirements for the state, seeking the support of the Power Ministry for developing Small and Mini Hydroelectric projects with a capacity of 356 MW in remote areas as a nationally significant strategic project with financial support.
He sought financial assistance for the installation of 30,000 solar street lights across all districts of the state and expedited approval of schemes for electrifying villages along international borders.
Planning and upgrading the transmission network to the 220 KV level to meet future requirements and power evacuation from upcoming hydro-electric projects and immediate sanctioning of proposals for system modernization, electrification of villages, smart metering, and power connectivity to telecommunication towers under the RDSS scheme were the other requirements put forth before the union minister.
Mein was accompanied by commissioner (power) Ankur Garg and chief engineer (transmission), Ginko Linggi at the conference.
