Er Picto Shohe along with Linda Solo and Ratan Lal Nath during a meeting in Tripura on June 23.
Dimapur, June 28 (MExN): A 10-member Nagaland government delegation led by Adviser for New and Renewable Energy Er Picto Shohe visited Tripura from June 23 to 24 to study the successful implementation of renewable energy programmes, particularly the PM-KUSUM scheme, and facilitate knowledge and experience sharing.
According to the DPRO Kohima update, the delegation included Secretary, Department of New and Renewable Energy, Linda Solo, Director of New and Renewable Energy Er James Khala, and other departmental officials.
The study visit was organised to provide first-hand exposure to the innovative initiatives and implementation strategies adopted by the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) under the Power Department, Government of Tripura. The team examined the agency's operational framework, project execution models and best practices that have contributed to Tripura's achievements in renewable energy development.
During the visit, the delegation inspected a range of renewable energy projects, including off-grid solar water pumping systems under PM-KUSUM Component B, solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps under PM-KUSUM Component C, an 80 kWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant operating under the Virtual Net Metering arrangement at Rangacherra village, a community solar water purification plant with a treatment capacity of 45 KLD, solar high mast and solar street lighting systems in market areas under Mohanpur Block, a 500 kWp grid-connected solar PV power plant installed under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model at Tripura University, a biogas plant at the Ramakrishna Mission Complex in Amtali, and a 100 kW solar power plant at the Land Port in Agartala.
On June 23, the delegation visited Sathdubai Gram Panchayat, where members interacted with officials and beneficiaries to understand the implementation of off-grid solar water pumps and the solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps powered through borewells. The team also visited Rangacherra Gram Panchayat to study the Green Village initiative and the community solar water purification plant established under state-funded programmes.
Later, Shohe called on Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath and discussed strengthening cooperation in the renewable energy sector. The delegation subsequently participated in a review meeting chaired by Abhishek Chandra, IAS, Secretary, Power Department, Government of Tripura, along with TREDA Director Debabrata Sukla Das and senior officials at Sonar Tari State Guest House.
The meeting focused on project implementation, policy initiatives, financing mechanisms and opportunities for inter-state collaboration.
On June 24, the Nagaland Adviser met Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Prof Shyamal Das to discuss collaborative initiatives in renewable energy awareness, research, skill development and capacity-building programmes for the North-East, particularly for officers of the Department of New and Renewable Energy.
The delegation also inspected the university's 500 kWp grid-connected solar PV power plant developed under the RESCO model before visiting the biogas plant at the Ramakrishna Mission Complex in Amtali.
The Nagaland delegation appreciated Tripura's achievements in renewable energy and commended the state's approach to promoting clean energy solutions, particularly in providing sustainable irrigation, clean drinking water, rural electrification and community infrastructure through renewable energy technologies.
The team also appreciated the effective financial and technical support extended to beneficiaries, which it said had significantly contributed to the successful implementation of the programmes.
According to the Department of New and Renewable Energy, the visit marked another step towards strengthening cooperation between the two northeastern states in the renewable energy sector. It said the knowledge gained from Tripura's initiatives is expected to help Nagaland accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and advance the shared vision of sustainable development, energy security and a greener future for the Northeast and the country.
