Minister Kenye inaugurates vital power substations in Mokokchung amidst Nagaland’s power crisis

Nagaland Minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye said today that the state’s power requirement is more than 180 MW whereas it generates only 12 to 14 MW, resulting in the state government accruing an accumulated loss of over Rs 2000 crores in purchasing power.

Kenye said this while speaking as the guest of honor at the inaugural of two power substations in Mokokchung town on Monday.

The substations, 33/11 KV, 2×10 MVA at Power House, Salangtem Ward and 33/11 KV, 2×5 MVA near TB Hospital, IMDH Medical Colony were simultaneously inaugurated by Kenye at Power House, Salangtem Ward. It may be recalled that the project, implemented under the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP), was nearly “de-sanctioned” by the central Ministry of Power in 2021 after its progress was stalled due to an unresolved land acquisition issue.

Kenye, in his address, thanked the Government of India, the World Bank, the Ministry of Power, the state power department, the Chief Minister, the people of Mokokchung and all stakeholders involved for the success of the project.

He stated that if Nagaland could generate more electricity, the state could save significant funds which could then be used for other developmental projects.

Saying that the state government is drawing up plans to address the acute shortage of power in the state, Kenye also stressed on the need for identifying natural resources like rivers for producing hydroelectricity in order to mitigate the growing power crisis. He pointed out that electricity is a necessity without which humanity cannot progress in this age of rapid technological advancement.

While delivering a short speech, Advisor for Water Resources & Chairman DPDB Mokokchung, Tongpang Ozukum lauded the department of power, the All Ward Union Mokokchung Town and all involved for tirelessly pursuing and ensuring the successful implementation of the project. He particularly acknowledged the Chief Minister for prevailing upon the union Ministry of Power to not decommission the project.

During the inaugural program, brief speeches were also delivered by Asangla Imti, Secretary, Department of Power and Er Moa Aier, Engineer-in-Chief, Department of Power while president All Ward Union Mokokchung Town and president Ao Senden spoke on behalf of the civil society.

As per the technical report of the department, the construction of 2 Nos. of 33/11kV Sub-stations and associated 33kV lines were taken up under the scheme North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) in order to meet the rapid growing of electricity demand and to back the socio-economic development in Mokokchung District Headquarter and adjoining areas.

This scheme was funded by the Government of India and World Bank on a 50:50 basis and aimed to improve the intra-state transmission and distribution systems in the State. The project was implemented through PowerGrid, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Power, GoI. The contract for this work was awarded in February 2018 with a completion schedule of 33 months. However, the project got delayed because of the land acquisition issue at Power House which was resolved in November 2021.

The 33/11 kV substation, Power House Mokokchung, has a transformer capacity of 2×10 MVA with 6 outgoing 11 kV feeders. A 33kV line with 24 Fibre OPGW connects the substation from 132kV S/S Aolijen covering a distance of 8.87 Kms. The project cost was Rs. 9.4 Cr. It was test charged on 15 February 2024.

The 33/11kV substation near TB Hospital Mokokchung is equipped with a transformer capacity of 2×5 MVA. It has 4 outgoing 11 kV feeders. A 33kV line with 24 Fibre OPGW connects the substation from 132kV substation Aolijen covering a distance of 7.2 Kms. The project cost was Rs. 8.9 Cr. It was test charged on 15 February 2024.

Mokokchung Times