AIZAWL, May 27: Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting on the proposed 132 MW Tuivai Hydroelectric Power Project at his office in Aizawl, underscoring the state government’s focus on strengthening local power generation and reducing dependence on external electricity purchases.
The meeting was attended by Power Minister Pu F. Rodingliana along with officials from the Power and Electricity Department.
According to officials, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Tuivai Hydroelectric Power Project has already been completed and the project is now ready for the tendering stage. The government is currently exploring implementation of the project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The review comes at a time when Mizoram’s electricity demand continues to rise steadily. Officials informed the meeting that the state’s present peak power demand stands at 182 MW and is projected to increase to around 213 MW by 2030, as per the findings of the 20th Electric Power Survey.
Despite having an installed generation capacity of 50.20 MW, actual power generation within the state remains significantly lower, resulting in Mizoram producing only around 10 percent of its total electricity requirement internally. The remaining demand is met through power purchases from outside the state.
The government currently spends approximately Rs 64,954.45 lakh annually on power purchases, excluding transmission charges. In view of the increasing expenditure and future demand projections, the state government has identified expansion of local power generation capacity as a major priority.
During the meeting, officials recalled that the Tuivai Hydroelectric Project was initially surveyed by the Central Water Commission in 1992 with an estimated generation potential of 210 MW. However, since part of the proposed dam area would extend into neighbouring Manipur, the project had to be re-surveyed and redesigned.
Following the revision, a new DPR has been prepared with a reduced installed capacity of 132 MW. According to the report, the project is estimated to cost Rs 2,289.50 crore and is expected to be completed within five years after commencement of construction.
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The meeting further decided that the annual financial requirements for implementation of the project would be examined in consultation with the Finance Department to ensure smooth execution.
Apart from the Tuivai Project, the review meeting also assessed the progress of the ongoing Tuirini Project and works being carried out under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Discussions were additionally held regarding issues and proposals to be raised with the Union Power Minister during his upcoming visit to Mizoram.
