John Sumi,
Duncan Basti, Dimapur
We all know that electricity is the driving force for everything in this digital age. As usual, here comes another “Learn Season” the most frightening season for the power consumers in Nagaland. Every year power department makes it very clear why public should not complain about the load shedding during the lean season i.e. from December to April when all our rivers dry up. Fortunately, Nagas are so understanding to accept this reality of less water in the rivers during the lean season. And so, load shedding in Nagaland is accepted by everybody as a natural phenomenon. Well, the questions are – of 110 MW of which 90% (90 MW Appx) is for domestic lighting, how do we ever think of setting up factories and industries to develop our land?? Is there anybody coming up with any magical solution to bring sufficient power to us?? If there is any, what is the formula??It is very interesting to learn that out of our 110 MW peak demand, we get only 40-50 MW including 20 MW additional purchase from power exchange at a very high rate. This indicates that we are either not able to afford a very high rate or other states are not selling to us because of their own shortage. I, as a layman will not be able to give a concrete answer to solve this technical problem. I only know that unless we give our joint efforts to explore every means to generate power with our state from all sources, load shedding will continue since other states will never give us the power even at a very high price because they will have their own shortage.However, I would like to share some of my humble suggestions to make Nagaland a power surplus state within 5-10 years time.
1. Nagaland being rich in vegetations can opt for Biomass power generation.
2. It is learnt from the news paper sometimes back that we have power potentials up to 350 MW from big rivers like Tizu-Zungki, Doyang stage II, III, IV, V, VI and Dikhu. And around 200 MW from some 82 sites of viable small hydro electric projects. It is told that big hydro projects will take 15-20 years to complete. So in order to go step by step we should first attempt Biomass and small hydro source of generations to meet our immediate requirements which can be completed in 3-5 years time.
3. We should also start investing in solar power even though the cost per unit is higher. But there is a way because the central government is said to be subsidizing the solar power projects.
4. Nagaland government should encourage the Independent Power Producers (IPP) to invest in the power sector by offering them friendly policy guidelines. Provided entire power generated should be sold to Nagaland state.
5. Expert resources persons should educated general public through seminars and workshops about power economics and its effect.
No matter how powerful the government may be, our state will always remain powerless and underdeveloped till we start generating power from our own state. And to do that, not only the government but every individual, organization, the land owners and especially the technocrats should work with full dedication and honesty at war footing.
