With 32 per cent deficit Meghalaya has the highest power deficit in India, according to the quarterly report of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA.) Meghalaya receives above average rainfall in the country.
The power demand was 281 Megawatt (MW) in the State, but the State has been able to provide just 190 MW, a shortfall of 90 MW or 32 per cent, during April to June this year, the CEA report said.
“The deficit is due to growing demand of power, which the State has not been able to meet,” principal secretary, in-charge Power, BK Dev Burman said today.
Incidentally, the power deficit in the State during February to April 2010 was only 13.4 per cent as per the CEA report. The reduced deficit could be attributed to the load shedding that was on during nights during that quarter.
According to Dev Burman the demand for new connection or “unconnected load” is much higher as many of the industries and business houses have applied, but the Power department is in no position to do so in view of the present shortage. “The unconnected load is higher than the connected load in the State,” Dev Burman added.
Ironic for a State which a decade back was surplus in power generation and even exported to neighbouring States. In fact, Assam State Electricity Board owes Meghalaya Power department substantial dues for its power supply.
Now the State shells out about Rs 10 crore on purchase of power every month. The situation may not improve in the near future as many of the hydel projects under construction are much behind their scheduled date of commission.
All eyes are on the 126 MW Myntdu-Leshka project in Jaintia Hills that was supposed to be commissioned this year, but was delayed due to damage to one of its plants due to flash flood.