Nagaland to explore thermal generation

Al Ngullie 
Dimapur | May 6 

Rattled out of its daylights by one of the worst ever power crises in recent years, the Nagaland government has finally decided to explore ‘heat’ and cease depending on ‘water’: the government is already into drawing up a plan exploring thermal-based power generation as an alternative to the current monsoon-dependent Hydro-based generators. 

Logistical explorations – “rough idea” for now – are already underway involving a coordination of both the department of power and the department of Geology & Mining. The thermal specifics? Coal and heavy fuel-based generation. The two were specific as the most feasible alternatives over hydro-generators for reasons of availability in local specifications. To this effect, the government is set to meet with the ministry of Development of North East Region (DONER) and the North East Council (NEC) this month to press for the matter. It was also informed that out of the Rs. 121 Crores sanctioned for a thermal feeder infrastructure in Dimapur, Rs. 90 Crores is yet to be sanctioned by the Center. Nonetheless, the Dimapur feeder is currently under construction. 

Parliamentary  Secretary for Power Y Doshehe Sema disclosed that he would be leaving later this May for Delhi to meet with the NEC and the DONER to press for sanctions, particularly the unallocated Rs 90 Crores for instating a proper thermal generator base in Dimapur. Considering paramount importance of thermal-based power generation, Sema said his colleagues in the last Assembly session had also broached the matter. Thermal-based generation seemed to be the only alternative left, it was implied.   

Sema said the power department is already on way into exploring the feasibility of coal and heavy fuel as generator-bases. While acknowledging that the power situation in the state has improved to a considerable level, all thanks to the monsoon, it was implied that hydro-stations – the only generators in the state – are so much reliable only so much as the monsoons are on. He was, however, apprehensive of the level of Sulphur content in coal. He said to install ‘de-sulphuring’ infrastructure to counter the content to make safer the generated power output. 

Parliamentary Secretary Sema also informed that while the NEC has been approached many a time over the years, they continue to be “not very receptive.” Expressed concern over meeting the investment demand of Rs 90 Crore, he said private investors could share a finger in the pie, if any would step forward. 

Commissioner & Secretary for Power Talitemjen Toy confirmed of the explorations. He said logistical assessments are underway if at all thermal generation, specifically coal, is a feasible commercial base.

“We cannot depend hydro alone” Commissioner Toy said and disclosed the power department’s option to delve into the coal resources of the state to harness them into a commercially viable as well as local-supply specific power. 

Commissioner Toy was of the opinion that while coal deposits are confirmed, the quantity and quality has to be determined and likened details obtained before any concrete steps. He said to have communicated the needful to the department of Geology & Mining Mention may be made here that there are currently no thermal-based power generation stations in Nagaland.        

Coal deposits in the districts of Mokokchung and Longleng are being studied by the department of Power if it is in capacity to merit thermal power stations. An official from the department of power approximated 5 million matric tons of coal in the deposits of Longleng and Mokokchung. The official, however, said the department is in touch with the department of Geology & Mining to determine the actual load of coal deposits. Only after the figures are determined that the feasibility or incompetence of thermal generation would come to light, the power official said. 

Meanwhile, the state government awaits the response of the Center over the request made last month for allocation of additional power loaddage to the state under a ‘special dispensation’ package.