Nagaland has called on private investors and industry leaders to translate existing commitments into projects and explore opportunities in the state’s energy sector, as the North East Energy Summit 2026 brought together government officials, industry representatives and energy experts at The Niathu Zone by Park, Chumoukedima, on October 30.
Held under the theme “Northeast: India’s Energy Frontier,” the summit was organised by the Department of Geology and Mining, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the North East Energy Summit.
The Nagaland Energy Chapter focused on highlighting the region’s energy potential and exploring opportunities for investment, development and regional cooperation.
In his special address, Minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs KG Kenye urged participating government departments, industry representatives, public sector enterprises and financial institutions to identify priority investment opportunities, prepare viable projects and improve coordination between the government and industry.
He also called for practical mechanisms to follow up on commitments made during the summit, expressing hope that the proposed North East Energy Summit Declaration would provide a meaningful starting point for sustained cooperation, with clearly defined priorities, responsibilities and timelines.
Kenye reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that energy development translates into better infrastructure, improved public services, greater investment, employment opportunities and a stronger economy. He expressed confidence that the discussions and partnerships emerging from the summit would contribute to the energy future of Nagaland and the Northeast, while supporting the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Calls for private investment, faster implementation of energy projects
In his policy keynote address, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Office, Power and Law & Justice, KD Vizo called on industry leaders, investors and development partners to explore opportunities in Nagaland’s energy sector, stressing that private-sector participation would be important in strengthening infrastructure and accelerating development.
Highlighting the state’s potential in renewable energy, particularly solar and hydropower, Vizo said greater awareness was needed among investors about the opportunities available in Nagaland. He urged prospective investors to look beyond conventional investment destinations and consider the state, asking why companies investing thousands of crores of rupees in other states and regions should not also consider Nagaland. He assured them that the Department of Power was ready to welcome investors.
Vizo said the state had signed several Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with private companies under its Power Policy introduced in 2018, which opened the power sector to private investment and participation. However, several projects covered by these agreements were yet to be implemented.
These include a 20 MW solar power project by My Hello Agency, signed at a tariff of Rs 4.14 per unit, and another 20 MW solar project by Tenas Bangshal. Other projects include a 27 MW thermal power plant by NS Petro Method at Tuli, at Rs 4.80 per unit; a 10 MW biomass power plant by MS Group Private Limited at Tuli, at Rs 5.06 per unit; and a 22.5 MW hydropower project at Khagrachari by MS Haritha Energy Private Limited.
Observing that some of the agreements had been signed nearly four years ago without the projects taking off, Vizo urged investors to move beyond commitments and ensure implementation on the ground.
Rooftop solar and model villages
On renewable energy initiatives, Vizo said rooftop solar installation was progressing, with 650 installations completed against a target of 10,900. He pointed to the availability of central and state subsidies, along with banking support, but said limited public awareness had contributed to the slow uptake.
He said extensive awareness campaigns were being conducted to encourage consumers to adopt rooftop solar as one of the solutions to the state’s energy requirements.
Vizo also highlighted the Chief Minister’s Solar Committee Scheme, for which implementation work was underway. The government was additionally planning to establish 17 Solar Model Villages, one in each district, with the tendering process already in progress.
Transmission infrastructure and power-sector reforms
On transmission infrastructure, Vizo said Nagaland was almost at par with other states and had made progress in certain areas. The 220 kV Zathima-Dimapur transmission line project was at an advanced stage and, once commissioned, was expected to improve power stability in Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Tuensang and Mokokchung districts.
He also informed that initiatives were being taken to extend extra-high-voltage transmission infrastructure to districts such as Mon.
Expressing optimism about the sector’s prospects, Vizo said the government was making concerted efforts to bring the power sector towards profitability within the next two years. He highlighted the implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes, including renewable energy initiatives, and said extensive work was underway to augment distribution transformers, strengthen distribution lines and install smart meters to improve the efficiency and reliability of power supply.
Acknowledging the challenges facing the sector, he expressed confidence that these could be overcome through proper planning, sustained efforts and cooperation among the government, investors and other stakeholders.
Vizo stressed that Nagaland’s development should not be viewed as the responsibility of the government alone, adding that the private sector had an important role in bringing investment, technology, expertise and resources to accelerate the state’s development.
He urged industry leaders and development partners to understand the state’s potential and communicate a positive and accurate perspective to prospective investors, encouraging them to explore opportunities in Nagaland rather than overlooking it in favour of neighbouring states.
He expressed hope that stronger cooperation between the government and industry would strengthen the state’s energy infrastructure, bring the sector at par with other states and ultimately make Nagaland energy-sufficient. He also thanked the organisers for providing the platform and expressed optimism that the interaction would lead to meaningful partnerships and greater investment in the state’s energy sector.
Summit focuses on hydrocarbons, minerals and renewable energy
The summit featured a series of keynote addresses and panel discussions on key areas of the energy sector, including hydrocarbon exploration, mineral exploration, renewable energy, natural gas and power-sector development.
Key sessions included “India’s Upstream Outlook and the North East,” “Unlocking Nagaland’s Hydrocarbon Potential,” “North East Gas Grid and City Gas Distribution,” and “Northeast: India’s Energy Frontier.”
The event brought together government officials, industry representatives, energy experts and other stakeholders to deliberate on the region’s energy prospects, with particular emphasis on Nagaland.
The inaugural session began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Kenye. It also featured addresses by representatives of the Department of Geology and Mining and other dignitaries. (With DIPR inputs)