Northeastern States Must Leverage Hydro-Power Potential: Manohar Lal
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Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal emphasized the need for northeastern states to utilize their hydro-power potential effectively, highlighting energy security and modern power sector development at the Regional Conference in Gangtok, Sikkim.
Key Takeaways
- The northeastern states should prioritize energy security.
- Utilization of hydro-power potential is critical.
- A modern power sector is essential for national growth.
- Environmental sustainability is necessary for future energy strategies.
- Government schemes are addressing distribution sector challenges.
New Delhi, April 26 (NationPress) The northeastern states must strive for energy security. Given the region's significant hydro-power potential, including pumped-storage, efforts should be made to capitalise on this opportunity, stated Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Saturday.
Speaking at the ‘Regional Conference of the Power Sector’ in Gangtok, Sikkim, the minister highlighted the necessity of establishing a future-ready, modern, and financially stable power sector to support the nation's growth towards becoming a developed country, as per a statement from the Ministry of Power.
He underscored the critical role of electricity in achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ noting that the regional conference would aid in pinpointing specific challenges and devising solutions for the power sector in the northeastern states.
The minister pointed out that even with a minor shortfall of 0.1% in fulfilling current power needs, persistent efforts are required to meet future demands.
Since 2014, there has been a notable increase in power generation, and advancements across various generation methods—including thermal, hydro, atomic, and renewable energy—are essential, he remarked.
According to Manohar Lal, addressing environmental issues and transitioning towards non-fossil energy is crucial for attaining the goal of Net Zero Emissions.
He mentioned that government initiatives like RDSS and PM-JANMAN are tackling challenges within the distribution sector, while also working to electrify households that have been left out.
The minister pointed out that the distribution sector faces hurdles due to inadequate tariff structures, inefficient billing and collection, and delays in government department dues and subsidies.
“It is imperative to lower the AT&C losses and the disparity between Average Cost of Supply and Average Revenue Realised, to ensure the viability of the distribution sector. Achieving this necessitates cost-reflective tariffs,” stated Manohar Lal.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay emphasized the significant measures taken by the state to enhance the quality and reliability of the power supply. He also outlined a proposed plan for further improvements in the power sector, requesting interventions from the Central government on various state-related issues.
