Aizawl, July 22 (NNN): In an effort to become self sufficient in power, the Mizoram government is planning to construct four solar plants and one solar park in different parts of the State, which would generate 80 megawatt solar power by 2021, officials of State power and electricity department said. Mizoram Solar Power Policy was adopted in 2017 to encourage, develop and promote solar power generation in the State. The policy targets generation of 80 MW solar power by 2021, which includes generation through rooftop system. According to power and electricity department officials, initiative is being taken to set up five solar plants in different places in Aizawl, Mamit and Champhai districts under the state Solar Power Policy. They said that massive effort is being taken up for the construction of a solar park near Vankal village in south Mizoram’s Champhai district which will generate 20 MW solar power. Construction of an approach road to the solar park is being underway, they added. The officials also said that a 30 MW solar plant will be constructed at North Lungpher village near Saitual town in Aizawl district. The proposed solar plant was outsourced to a Mumbai based Reliance company. The company will construct the solar plant on its own expenses and the state government will purchase solar power from it, they said. A 2 MW solar plant will also be constructed at Tlungvel village in Aizawl district under the initiative of the state’s nodal agency - Zoram Energy Development Agency (ZEDA). According to officials, fund has been allocated under the New Economic Development Policy (BEDP) for the construction of solar plant at Tlungvel. They added that a 10 MW solar plant will also be set up at Sihhmui near Aizawl and another at Lengte village in Mamit district to generate 22.5 MW solar power. Mizoram Home minister, R. Lalzirliana had earlier in May said that the state government is taking effort to become self sufficient in power. He had also said that the government gave priority to generation of maximum power through solar energy as the local power generation from 8 power units, which are highly depending on monsoon and water resources, is not sufficient to meet the local requirement.
