The Power Department has today issued a general information stating that the power shortage in the State has reached an alarming stage due to hydro generating stations inability to generate to its full potential.
“Several thermal power stations in the region had also taken shutdown for maintenance, which has added to the acute power shortage. As North East Region is largely dependent upon hydro power, shortages is a perennial problem during the lean seasons every year. However, the shortages had been much more acute this year,” stated the Engineer -in- Chief, Department of Power Nagaland, Kohima, adding that the shut down of a major thermal power station for maintenance has worsened the power availability situation.
While the availability and supply has been increasing every year, the Department mentioned that the rate of increase in demand is been much more. “For instance, the peak demand of the State during the 1990s was only about 60MW. But as of now the peak demand has increased by 300% to 180MW. However the availability is about 100MW only during the peak hours. Correspondingly the cost of power purchase is also increasing year by year,” updated the Department.
In this regard, the Department has requested the consumers to not only judiciously use electricity, but diligently cooperate with the Department for prompt payments of their monthly electricity bills. The Department has also requested all Village Councils through the District Administration to help and assist the Department to clear all vegetation such as trees and bamboos near power transmission and distribution lines, as maximum interruptions are caused by such vegetations.
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“The State at present is dependent 90 percent on import of power. The Department therefore appeals that no organization(s) should disrupt power installations, as it will only lead to more power instability. For a long term solution, the Department is in the process of initiating several hydro power generation projects within the State, including new transmission and distribution lines and sub-stations for better power service. Cooperation be please extended to the Department in the interest of the people in general,” stated the Department.
Keeping in mind the HSLC and HSSLC exams, the Department also clarified that it is taking all measures to improve the power stability and ensure stable supply.
“Therefore though at a much higher rate than the power which the State buys under long term Purchase Agreements the State Government has allowed the purchase of additional power from the spot market from outside the NE region on emergency basis. However additional power in the spot market is not always readily available and availability vary from time to time. The Department shall therefore be making all efforts to buy as per availability on the spot market to ease the power situation in the State,” appealed the Department.
