Imphal, May 17: A 10 kilowatt capacity wind-solar hybrid power project set up by Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) at Chorjeng Lunghar village in Ukhrul district has brought smile on the faces of the villagers who have never seen their houses being illuminated with electricity in their lives.

First of its kind in the State, the work on the power project at the village, situated near Sirui hill some 27 kms from Ukhrul town along the Ukhrul-Jessami Road (National Highway 150) commenced in November 2007 under the joint initiative of MANIREDA, Village Energy Committee, Ukhrul District Community Resource Management Centre and Tangkhul Science Association with funding from the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy.

The total cost of the project including control room, LT power line, compound fencing is said to be Rs 41.14 lakhs.

With commissioning of the hybrid power project having the capacity of generating 10 kilowatt power, all the 26 household and lanes of the village lighted with electricity.

Apart from providing electricity at the rate of three bulbs per household, street lamps have been installed dispelling darkness and bringing a ray of new hope to the villagers who all these years have not been able to watch television programmes due to absence of power supply.

Three television sets provided to the village have also been connected with power from today.

After the formal inauguration of the power project by Rajya Sabha MP and former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing, the villagers welcomed the new development with joys through dance and songs.

One significant advantage of the wind-solar hybrid power project is that the energy can be generated either from wind or solar or both whichever and whenever available.

Talking to The Sangai Express in connection with the newly commissioned power project, chairman of the Village Energy Committee L Wungnaoshang said Chorjeng Lunghar village, which is a locality of Lunghar village has not been getting power supply for the last many years.

So commissioning of such a power project in the village today is beyond any word of appreciation of the villagers who for so long have been using kerosene lanterns and Uchan chips to light up their houses at night.

The pine trees being grown near the village is for the sole purpose of lighting up the houses at night, he said while pointing to the direction of the pine forest nearby.

Although the Power Department is yet to provide electricity connection to Chorjeng, the situation is not better in Lunghar, where he resides, as there is power supply only one day in a week, Wungnaoshang informed.

Inaugurating the power project, Rishang Keishing disclosed that when one underground organisation demanded money, the escort personnel of an MLA came to his house to get the money.

'In such a situation, how could we expect that Siphai who are there in the first place to protect us would ensure our protection and security', the seasoned politician mused.

In his address, MANIREDA Chairman PL Thanga pointed out that Ukhrul district has lot of potential for renewable energy which can meet the power requirement of the district.

He also expressed desire for setting up Ukhrul district as a model district on this line.

Director of MANIREDA L Manglem informed the gathering that after a study an expert team from Chennai has recently found out that 20 megawatt of wind power can be generated at Phangrei Range, where the hybrid power project has been set up.

If such a wind-power project having the capacity of producing 20 megawatt of power can be taken up, then there would be no power shortage in the entire district, he expressed confidence.

Director of Planning K Mangi, who was also present at the occasion as guest of honour, explained that there is power shortage in Manipur as it is receiving only 8 megawatt of power as against the actual requirement of 155 megawatt.

It is said that in order ensure smooth and proper maintenance of the newly inaugurated hybrid power project, two villagers nominated by the Village Energy Committee have already been trained by the experts from Pune on the details of the operation and maintenance.

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