Lapang asks NEEPCO to explore possibilities of generating more pow

Shillong, July 9 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang has asked the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) to explore possibilities of generating more power in the region.

''North East is recognised as power house of the country because of power potential, particularly in hydro power, but the development of the sector is not very encouraging,'' Mr Lapang said while inaugurating the 7th Biennial Conference of the Diploma Engineers' Association (DEA) of NEEPCO here recently.

Emphasising that power sector is the key to economic development, he said, India was one of the countries where the present level of energy consumption, by world standards was very low which is a concern for industrial development.

Assuring the support to NEEPCO in its efforts to set up power projects in the state, Mr Lapang, said Meghalaya has immense potential for setting up of hydro and coal based power projects and the NEEPCO has shown interest in setting up of such projects in the state.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had announced that a Memorandum of Understanding would soon be signed between the Meghalaya government and North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for setting up power projects in the state.

These projects include 720 MW Nangalbibra and 240 MW West Khasi Hills thermal power project, 90 MW Mawphu and 1000 Kynshi hydro power project.

UNI