Senapati hybrid project inaugurated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 07: For the second time in Manipur, a hybrid wind-solar power project was inaugurated by Science & Technology and Information Technology Minister Phungzathang Tonsing at Chawangkining village along IT road in Senapati district today.

The project having installed capacity of 10 KW was developed by the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) under sponsorship of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy at the cost of Rs 41.14 lakhs.

The project taken up last year will now be able to provide electricity to 23 households of Chawangkining village.

Dignitaries at the inauguration of the Hybrid project

Rejoicing at the inauguration of the hybrid power project, chairman of the village energy committee Alien Chiru informed that the villagers provided labour force in constructing the project.

Chawangkining village located about 14 kms away from Kangpokpi along IT road was set up in 1999.As there was no electric connection to the village, some villagers used to go to Kangpokpi to recharge batteries at the rate of Rs 20 per battery.

The villagers used either batteries or kerosene lamps to illuminate their homes, Alien Chiru conveyed.

The villagers also conveyed sincere gratitude to MANIREDA for the arrangement it was making to install three electric bulbs in each household.

Addressing the inaugural function today, the Power Minister said that the project developed by MANIREDA and now handed over to the village is a property of the villagers.

The Minister also exhorted the villagers to use the project judiciously.

Observing that power generated from Loktak Hydro Electric Project has been continuously illuminating Mizoram while Manipur has been receiving a small percentage of the total power required, Phungzathang highlighted the puzzling situation being faced by the Power Department.

While the consumers are refusing to pay taxes on the pretext that there is no regular power supply, the Department has been unable to supply electricity due to huge debts incurred from non-payment of tax, the Minister noted.

Nevertheless, he called upon all to discharge their duties sincerely.

In his presidential speech, MANIREDA chairman PL Thanga said that Manipur has the potential to produce 510 MW of renewable energy.

If there is objection to mega projects due to environmental and other concerns, mini projects may be taken up as alternatives without any problem, he noted.

Electricity generated by the wind-solar hybrid power project inaugurated today may be used for illuminating homes at night and also in running small food processing units and micro industries in day time, PL Thanga said.

The inaugural function was also attended by Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei and Sc & Tech and IT Commissioner M Budhachandra as guests of honour.