Three new power projects in Mizoram

AIZAWL - The state-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corp (NEEPCO) has signed an agreement with the Mizoram government to commission three hydro-electric power projects having a capacity of 1,526 MW, officials said here Saturday.

“The power corporation would soon carry out field investigations and then study on the techno-commercial viability about the three proposed projects,” NEEPCO chairman and managing director I.P. Barooah told reporters.

Barooah and Mizoram Chief Secretary Vanhela Pachuau signed the memorandum of agreement (MoA) late Friday.

Barooah said: “Before starting the actual works for the three projects, mandatory clearances, including approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), would be taken.”

The three proposed hydro-electric projects are 635-MW Chhimtuipui project, 815-MW Lungreng project and 76-MW Mat-Sekawi project. These projects would be set up in the state’s eastern and southeastern regions.

“Actual locations, time for completion of works and project costs of the projects will be finalised after the field investigations and the study on techno-commercial viability,” the NEEPCO official added.

The NEEPCO will add 870 MW of power to the power-starved northeastern region by 2012.

“We are also executing three hydro-electric and one gas-based thermal power projects in Arunachal Pradesh (600 MW and 110 MW), Mizoram (60 MW) and Tripura (100 MW) and these projects would be completed in the next two years,” said the NEEPCO chief.

According to Barooah, the 60-MW capacity Turial project was delayed by six years due to problems relating to law and order and acquisition of lands. The project cost was revised to Rs.880 crore and will produce power at Rs.3.70 per unit.