Power Ministers’ Conference In New Delhi Attended By Mizoram Minister F. Rodingliana

November : The Conference of Power Ministers of States and Union Territories was held on November 12, 2024, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, led by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Mizoram Power Minister F. Rodingliana participated in this conference, where the state’s unique challenges and needs were presented.

In this meeting, discussions centered around India’s progress in the power sector. Minister F. Rodingliana highlighted Mizoram’s potential to produce 3,500 MW of hydropower, yet current generation remains under 50 MW. He attributed this shortfall to financial constraints and requested support from the central government to achieve Mizoram’s energy goals.

The Minister encouraged other states with large water resources to follow Mizoram’s lead in hydropower development. He cited the Tuirial Hydel Project as an example, currently managed by the Central PSU NEEPCO, where substantial land compensation costs have been borne by the Mizoram state government. He noted that if similar projects were centrally supported, Mizoram would benefit greatly, enabling it to meet a substantial portion of its 3,500 MW potential.

Minister Rodingliana also discussed a pending energy bill of Rs. 102 crore from NEEPCO, calling for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Power and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to resolve the financial challenges and ensure continuous progress in the sector.

He raised the matter of high project costs in Mizoram compared to other states, due to its remote, mountainous terrain and higher transportation costs. For instance, while a bag of cement costs Rs. 300-400 in Guwahati, the same costs Rs. 500-600 in Mizoram. He emphasized the need for central concessions to address these elevated expenses, especially given Mizoram’s reliance on hydropower.

Among other topics discussed at the conference were Pump Storage Projects, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, PM Surya Ghar Rooftop Solar initiatives, Smart Metering Projects, and the expansion of Solar Parks. Mizoram’s efforts to implement these projects and overcome regional challenges were well noted during the discussions.