The Mizoram government has decided to privatise or outsource seven small hydel power projects, citing high maintenance costs, an official from the state Power and Electricity (P&E) Department said on Sunday.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced the decision while inaugurating a 10 MW solar power plant at Thenzawl in Serchhip district on Saturday. According to the official, the government believes that outsourcing the hydel projects will reduce financial burden and prove beneficial for the state in the long run.
The move has, however, triggered opposition from the Congress. Former Congress MLA T T Zothansanga termed the decision harmful to Mizoram’s interests and said it was unjustified, as several of the small hydel projects are revenue-generating.
Zothansanga said Mizoram currently has 14 hydroelectric projects with a total installed capacity exceeding 100 MW. Of these, nine were developed during Congress-led governments, three under the Mizo National Front (MNF), and two during the People’s Conference government headed by former chief minister Brig T Sailo. He claimed that projects such as the 12 MW Serlui-B hydel plant in Kolasib district are earning revenue for the state.
Meanwhile, the state government is pressing ahead with plans to develop new power projects. A P&E official said construction of two hydel projects is expected to begin next year—a 24 MW project on the Tuirini river, about 60 km from Aizawl, and a 132 MW project on the Tuivai river in Saitual district near the Manipur border.
The 24 MW Tuirini project is estimated to cost Rs 676 crore, while the 132 MW Tuivai hydel electric project is projected at Rs 2,400 crore and is expected to generate around 380 million units of electricity annually.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma said the foundation stone for the Tuirini project would be laid soon, while planning for the Tuivai project is progressing steadily. He added that completion of these projects would significantly boost Mizoram’s energy self-sufficiency.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to set up six additional solar parks with a combined capacity of 66 MW across the state.
At present, Mizoram has no major power generation facility and relies heavily on electricity imports, mainly from Tripura, spending nearly Rs 400 crore each year. Officials said the state’s power demand has been rising at an annual rate of 7.6 per cent, with peak demand touching 160 MW.
Soon after coming to power, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government decided not to revise power tariffs for the next five years to ensure affordable electricity for consumers, particularly the economically weaker sections and small entrepreneurs.
