Currently, the NEEPCO is working on five projects including 500 MW coal-based power plant at Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills and 240 MW Killing Hydro power project (Assam-Meghalaya border), said Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) ), Prem Chand Pankaj at a press conference here on Thursday.
“The North-east, which is reeling under severe power shortage, will be the power surplus region if the target of producing 5000 MW power is achieved within the stipulated time,” he said.
He said the NEEPCO which produces 1130 MW power from its existing five projects in North-east, is also contemplating to set up three power plants in Mizoram to augment the power shortage in the State.
On the much-delayed Manarchak project in Tripura, he said that the 100 MW power plant would come up by January 2013. Asserting that the NEEPCO was trying to enhance the installed capacity from 100 to 200 MW, the CMD said that the matter had already been discussed with Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. “We sought Chief Minister’s help to get natural gas so that the NEEPCO could increase the installed capacity of Monarchak power project from 100 to 200 MW.
The NEEPCO further said, talks are on to increase the installed capacity of the Barmura Gas Thermal project in West Tripura. “We had a discussion with the Chief Minister who assured to render all possible help to NEEPCO,” he added.
It is worthy to mention that the CMD arrived here on Tuesday to review the activities of the NEEPCO and left for Guwahati on Thursday. During the visit, he visited the site for proposed Monarchak Power Project in West Tripura’s Sonamura sub-division.