Principal secretary (power), B.K. Dev Verma, said the present demand of power in the state was 600MW while only 385MW could be supplied.
“By 2014, however, the state will be self-sufficient in power generation and distribution in view of the commissioning of the Myntdu-Leshka hydel project, New Umtru project and other power projects in the Northeast from which Meghalaya will get its share.”
He said the demand for power by 2014 would increase to 800MW and by the end of this month, expressions of interest would be floated to develop about 20 new hydel power projects in different parts of the state. The principal secretary said the projects would be of below and above 100MW capacities.
Verma, who is also the principal secretary (finance), said his department had asked various other departments to send scheme proposals to avail from the Rs 1121.12 crore grant-in-aid recommended by the 13th Finance Commission. The said amount will be valid for five years (2010-15) and Rs 92.50 crore has been earmark-ed for the first year, 2010-11.
For the next four years, Rs 206.93 crore, Rs 256.21 crore, Rs 271.82 crore and Rs 293.66 crore have been earmarked respectively.
The fate of the proposals, which will have to be submitted before the end of August, would be decided by a high-level committee to be headed by the chief secretary, Verma said.
He said once the schemes are approved, they would be forwarded to the Union finance ministry.