Mizoram Has Vast Untapped Hydropower Capacity

Aizawl, Mar 25 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla informed the assembly today that the state is endowed with vast hydro power potential which is yet to be tapped.

''An energy potential survey conducted by the state power and electricity department in 2009 has estimated that Mizoram rivers have a capacity to produce about 4500 megawatt of power," The Chief Minister, who also holds the Power portfolio, informed the House, in reply to a query from Opposition members.

Besides hydropower, Mizoram has potential in wind energy, solar energy and oil and natural gas.

The power potential developed in the state as of today, according to Power and Electricity officials, is 8.20 MW only while the peak demand is around 90 MW.

Mr Lal Thanhawla also mentioned that the state is among 60 Indian cities to be made ‘solar cities’ by 2012 under an ambitious programme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will make Aizawl a solar city by 2012.

The state capital of Mizoram, with this project, plans to cover upto 10 per cent of its energy demand via renewable sources and also implement other energy efficiency measures with the programme.

''Steps are being taken to tap wind energy and oil and natural gas in the state,'' he added.

With a rise in demand for electricity, the Mizoram government has recently signed an agreement with the state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up a 460 MW power project on Chhimtuipui river in southern Mizoram.

Another agreement has also been reached with the NEEPCO (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd) for production of a total of 1,526 MW power.

The MoA was for setting up of 635-MW Chhimtuipui project, 815-MW Lungreng project and 76-MW Mat hydro electric project.

NEEPCO has also received a sanction of Rs 914 crore to revive the 60 MW Tuirial hydro project which had been stalled during the previous ministry, he said.

Besides these, several other projects such as 42 MW Tuivawl, 37 MW Tuirini, 54 MW Tlawng, 27 MW Tut and 25 MW Ngeipui hydro power projects are in the pipeline to be taken up under PPP mode, the Chief Minister said.