Union minister urges to harness hydro power potential of NE
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 26 2025: Union minister of power and housing and urban affairs Manohar Lal, on Friday, emphasised the need for North Eastern states to effectively utilise their rich hydro power and pumped-storage potential to ensure long-term energy security.

Speaking at the Regional Conference of the Power Sector held in Gangtok, he urged the states to focus on tapping renewable energy sources to meet future demands and contribute towards India's target of achieving net zero emissions.

The conference, attended by Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang, power ministers from Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, advisors from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, as well as senior officials from the ministry of power and central and state power utilities, discussed key challenges and strategies for strengthening the power sector in the Northeast.

Highlighting the significance of the region's resources, Manohar Lal underlined that hydro power and pumped-storage development could play a crucial role in ensuring reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective electricity supply.

He stressed that states must plan adequately to meet rising power demands and called for a future-ready, modern, and financially viable power sector to fuel the nation's growth towards a developed India under the vision of Viksit Bharat.

He noted that although India had bridged the gap in current power requirements to within 0.1 per cent, consistent efforts were required to meet future needs.

Since 2014, the country's power generation had increased substantially across thermal, hydro, atomic, and renewable sectors, he said and called for accelerated advancements, particularly in non-fossil fuel energy, to meet environmental goals.

The union minister also pointed to the challenges facing the power distribution sector, citing poor tariff structures, low billing and collection efficiency, and delays in government dues and subsidies.

Stressing the importance of financial viability, he said distribution companies must reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and move towards cost-reflective tariffs.

He added that schemes like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and PM-JANMAN are addressing these challenges by electrifying left-out households and modernising distribution networks through smart metering and other reforms.

Secretary (Power), in his address, underscored the need for timely capital investments to meet the increasing power demand, especially considering the long gestation periods of power projects.

He urged states to align with the resource adequacy plan up to FY 2030 and to develop necessary intra-state transmission capacities through available financing models.

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang welcomed the delegates and highlighted Sikkim's ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability and quality of power supply.

He also sought greater support from the Centre to address the state's power sector challenges.

Participants from the northeastern states expressed gratitude for the Centre's focus on the region and urged continued assistance to strengthen the power infrastructure and promote sustainable energy development.

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