The Mizoram government has decided to outsource seven small hydroelectric power plants, citing high maintenance costs, even as it moves ahead with plans to construct two new hydel projects and expand solar power capacity, a senior official of the state Power and Electricity (P&E) Department said on Sunday.
The decision was announced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during the inauguration of a 10 MW solar power plant at Thenzawl in Serchhip district on Saturday.
According to the official, the government believes outsourcing the mini hydel projects will be more cost-effective and yield better returns for the state, given the rising expenditure involved in their upkeep.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Congress. Former legislator T.T. Zothansanga said the decision was against Mizoram’s interests and questioned the rationale behind outsourcing assets that are capable of generating revenue.
He said the state currently has around 14 hydroelectric projects with a combined installed capacity of over 100 MW.
Zothansanga claimed that nine of these projects were built during Congress governments, three under the Mizo National Front (MNF) regime and two during the People’s Conference government led by former chief minister Brigadier T. Sailo.
He added that several small hydel plants, including the 12 MW Serlui-B project in Kolasib district, are already contributing to the state’s revenue.
Meanwhile, the state government is preparing to begin construction of two new hydropower projects, likely from next year.
These include a 24 MW project on the Tuirini river, about 60 km from Aizawl, and a much larger 132 MW project on the Tuivai river in Saitual district near the Manipur border.
Officials said the 24 MW Tuirini hydel project is estimated to cost around Rs. 676 crore, while the 132 MW Tuivai project is projected at Rs. 2,400 crore and is expected to generate about 380 million units of electricity annually.
Lalduhoma said the foundation stone for the Tuirini project would be laid soon, while planning for the Tuivai project was progressing steadily.
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Once completed, the new projects are expected to significantly improve Mizoram’s energy self-sufficiency.
The chief minister also announced plans to set up six additional solar parks across the state with a combined capacity of 66 MW.
Mizoram currently does not have any major power generation facility of its own and relies heavily on electricity imported from outside the state, primarily from Tripura, at an annual cost of around Rs. 400 crore.
Officials said the state’s power demand has been growing at about 7.6 per cent annually, with peak demand reaching 160 MW.
Soon after assuming office, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government had decided not to revise power tariffs for five years, aiming to keep electricity affordable for households, economically weaker sections and small entrepreneurs.
