Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Rs 676.98 crore Tuirini small hydropower project in Aizawl district, a 24-megawatt (MW) facility aimed at strengthening the state’s energy self-sufficiency, officials said.
The project will be implemented as an Externally Aided Project and funded through a loan from the New Development Bank. Of the total cost, 80 per cent will be borne by the Centre, while the remaining 20 per cent will be contributed by the Mizoram government.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, Lalduhoma described the occasion as a milestone for the state, stating that the project forms part of his government’s broader initiative to make Mizoram power self-sufficient.
He said the state had already made progress in renewable energy, citing the inauguration of a 10 MW solar power plant at Thenzawl in Serchhip district in December last year. In addition, a 5 MW solar power plant is currently under construction at Sumsuih in Aizawl district. Both facilities are fully owned by the state government, he added.
The Chief Minister said the government was intensifying efforts to reduce dependence on external power sources, with two more power projects currently in the pipeline. He informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 132 MW Tuivai hydroelectric project in Saitual district, near the Manipur border, has been completed, while the DPR for the proposed Tlawng hydropower project near Aizawl is expected to be ready by September this year.
To expand solar energy generation, Lalduhoma said the government has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to private developers for setting up solar power plants at five locations across the state. He added that 791 rooftop solar installations have already been completed, with a combined installed capacity of about 2.62 MW.
The Chief Minister also revealed plans for a pumped storage project on the Tuichang river, near the Vankal solar park in Khawzawl district. The project is designed to pump water to higher elevations during low-demand periods and generate electricity during peak hours, or alternatively, enable power trading.
Lalduhoma noted that while Mizoram is not yet fully self-reliant in power generation, it has long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Central Generating Stations. He said surplus power, particularly during daytime and late-night hours, can be traded when the state is unable to utilise its full allocated quota.
Due to timely payment of power bills, the state has been able to sell surplus electricity and receive rebates amounting to Rs 6.57 crore, he said.
According to the Chief Minister, Mizoram has generated total revenue of Rs 172 crore from power trading, recording a net profit of Rs 87.21 crore. The overall financial gain from timely bill payments and power trading stands at Rs 93.79 crore.
Officials said the Tuirini small hydropower project is scheduled to be completed within five years.