Pico hydro project to substantiate Arunachal's Power sector

Itanagar, Jul 08 (UNI) The vast water resources of Arunachal Pradesh could be harnessed for power generation through Pico hydro project, an appropriate and cost effective technology, to meet the demand in the remote villages.

Talking to newsmen here yesterday, Mr Sancho Odyou, Executive Engineer, Irrigation department of the Nagaland government, now working on deputation with Nagaland Empowerment of People Through Economic Development (NEPED), said the Pico-hydro or micro-hydro could be installed anywhere where there is enough water to produce energy for household requirement in rural villages.

'' The power generated through this project could be used for various applications like domestic lighting, processing units, cooking, television, drilling, sawing, cooling, water pumping and many other purposes, '' he added.

The NEPED member, who arrived here to instal such a project, donated by NEPED through Future Generations Arunachal (FGA), informed the installation cost of this 3 kw project was around Rs 1 lakh, including machinery and civil work.

'' The project is cost-effective in the sense that there is no reccuring expenditure to generate electricity but a very nominal maintenance expenditure, '' he said.

Water sources from a height of 15 feet and above are essential for producing electricity through this project, he informed saying more water flow or falling through the turbine will produce more power.

The project was commissioned on Thursday.

" We have already identified few places like Ziro, Pasighat, Palin Sangram, Bameng in the state for installation of pico hydro project through community basis, " he said.

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