Six of the Micro Hydel Power Projects (MHPP) out of the 13 MHPP proposed by the Power and Energy department of Sikkim government for East and North districts have received clearances and work would commence shortly.
A MHPP is usually allotted to villages where the grid supply or transmission is not possible, but electricity supply deemed necessary considering the population and requirement. Micro hydel is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produces up to 100 KW of electricity using the natural flow of water.
The MHPPs proposed by the Power and Energy department for East and North Districts are - Bala MHPP with a capacity of 100 KW, Buthang- 100 KW, Lingtam - 100 KW, Lamaten - 100 KW, Kumrek- 100 KW, Bakcha - 100 KW, Phensong - 45 KW, Lingdem- 100 KW, Linza - 100 KW, B-9- 45 KW, Lower Dalapchand - 25 KW, Sawa- 100 KW and B-8 - 40 KW.
Power secretary A K Giri said the total generation of power from the all the proposed MHPPs is 1,045 KW and the total cost of construction projected at Rs 19 crore.
Out of the total expenditure required, the Ministry of New and Renewal Energy will provide 70 per cent while the North Eastern Council will fund Rs 5 crore as gap-funding while the state’s share is about Rs 4 crore, he said.
The forest clearance for six MHHPs of the 13 proposed projects has been received and the works have already been awarded. Out of the 13 MHHPs, the one of Lower Dalapchand has been awarded to a cooperative society. After completion, the project would be handed over to the local NGOs or panchayats to operate and maintain the same, Giri said.
The six MHHPs ready to commence work after availing all necessary clearances are Bakcha, Phensong, Lingdem, Linza, B-9 and B-8 and the remaining seven MHHPs, mostly in East District are yet to get the forest clearance along with other necessary clearances, he said. The concept of carrying out mass MHPPs is to make Sikkim the first model state in micro power generation across the nation, the Secretary informs. Such micro hydel projects are mostly located in the North Eastern part of the country and if the projects planned turn out to be successful, then the model will be initiated in the other two districts of the state as well, Giri added.