In a letter addressed to the Executive Engineer of the Department of Power, Kohima Division, the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) on 7 February has expressed deep concern over the erratic electricity supply in the district of Kohima, particularly during crucial exam periods.
The ASU, in their letter, has served a 48-hour ultimatum to the department, demanding uninterrupted power supply, especially during the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) examinations. The union emphasized that the Department of Power has become a source of irritation for the student community, hindering their academic pursuits during critical times.
President Khriesamhalie David Mere and General Secretary Vimeyiekho Vitso of the ASU underscored the necessity of a conducive electricity supply for students and warned of resorting to appropriate measures if their demands are not met within the stipulated time frame.
The frustration with the inconsistent power supply extends beyond the Angami Students’ Union. Yanpvuo Kikon, Entrepreneur & Consultant also took to X highlighting the need to address the crisis with a very serious 5 & 10 year roadmap on mission mode for Nagaland.
No electricity since yesterday in the capital of Nagaland! Even the inverters have given up. Companies interested to invest & set up in Nagaland are going outside .. Even a small baker cannot even bake, how will big businesses continue here?
SOS @Hekani @Neiphiu_Rio @MinOfPower— YANPVUO KIKON (@YanpvuoK) February 7, 2024
“No electricity since yesterday in the capital of Nagaland! Even the inverters have given up. Companies interested to invest & set up in Nagaland are going outside .. Even a small baker cannot even bake, how will big businesses continue here?” he asked, tagging the Advisor of Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland Hekani, Chief Minister Rio, and the Ministry of Power.
“Nagaland requires electricity of around 300 MW (MegaWatts) per year. We hardly generate 20 MW of our own! While we are in deficit, other states are in surplus generating 10,000 MW. We need to address this crisis with a very serious 5 & 10 year roadmap on mission mode for Nagaland!” he added.
Freelance journalist Pito Swu echoed these concerns, stating, “This has been a major concern for ages, and every new minister ends up blaming their predecessors.”
Power challenges loom over Nagaland
Nagaland is grappling with a surge in power demand. Engineer Inaho P Awomi, joint director of the state’s New and Renewable Energy (NRE), revealed that as of 2023, the peak power demand stood at approximately 180 MW, projected to escalate to 400 MW by 2025.
Awomi highlighted the state’s minimal power generation capacity, primarily relying on a central sector allocation of 140 MW and supplemental purchases from the energy market, which prove to be economically inefficient.
Further complicating the situation, Er Achanger Aier, SDO Electrical of Mokokchung Sub-Division, shed light on the power department’s challenges. In a 2022 interview, Aier disclosed that the department incurred a staggering 41.32 percent loss in electricity drawn or consumed during the financial year 2021–22. Transmission loss, subsidized rates in rural areas, and tampered meters were cited as primary contributors to revenue losses.
Given the shortfall in domestic power generation, Nagaland resorts to procuring electricity from external sources via the grid, subjecting the State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC) to National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC) regulations, necessitating occasional load shedding to maintain grid stability.
The NLDC, overseeing the integrated operation of the national power system, mandates the scheduling and dispatching of electricity among Regional Load Dispatch Centers. Nagaland established its own SLDC in 2021, tasked with monitoring and controlling power flow across the state.
Recognizing the imperative for sustainable solutions, Awomi emphasized the pivotal role of renewable energy. At the launch of Energy Access Explorer (EAE) in Kohima, he unveiled the state’s considerable hydropower potential, estimated at 182 MW by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Presently, the state boasts a small hydro power capacity of 27.64 MW, with several major projects in the pipeline, including the Lower Tizu HEP, Zungki HEP, and Tizu Valley projects, totaling 90 MW.
Moreover, Nagaland holds vast solar energy potential, estimated at 7290 MW, with a meager cumulative installed capacity of 4 MW, including both on-grid and off-grid installations. Plans for expanding solar energy infrastructure include a proposed 5 MW solar power plant in Hovukhu village under Niuland district. The state-owned project was expected to be commissioned by August 2023 for Phase-I. Another 5 MW solar power plant (Phase-II) at Hovukhu has been approved in principle and was expected to begin work by October.
In wind energy, Nagaland holds an estimated potential of about 30 MW. A pilot project featuring a 20 KW wind-solar hybrid has already been implemented, with the New and Renewable Energy (NRE) department identifying nine potential sites for future development.
Moreover, Nagaland has made strides in harnessing biogas, with approximately 3220 units installed across the state. Proposals for a 10 MW biomass power plant, spearheaded by a private developer in Tuli within the Mokokchung district, underscore the diversified approach towards meeting the region’s energy needs.
