North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) is all set to develop two power projects in Meghalaya, one 500 MW thermal power project and the other 85 MW hydro-power project.
The Meghalaya cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to be signed with the state-run Neepco for executing the two power projects, sources said.
The thermal project will come up in Garo Hills and the hydro-project will be on river Mawphu in Khasi Hills.
Sources from Neepco said that survey and investigations for preparation of DPRs for both the projects will be taken up shortly soon after signing the MoA. The hydro-project will be completed by the end of 11th Plan and the thermal project will be completed within 3 years. Neepco has selected Narengri in East Garo Hills district as the site for the thermal project and coal would be brought in from the neighbouring mines of South and East Garo Hills. One per cent of the project cost in the thermal project will be used for the development works in the project area in the East Garo Hills district. Neepco would reserve 80 per cent of the jobs for local youths.
It is estimated that Meghalaya has a hydro-power potential of about 3,000 MW, of which only about 6 per cent has been tapped. Against the peak hour demand of 650 MW, the state's power generation capacity presently is 175 MW, which is exclusively hydel-based.
