Minister KG Kenye calls for energy partnerships to tackle power deficits in northeastern states

KOHIMA — Nagaland Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, on Tuesday called for long-term energy partnerships and infrastructural investment to address power challenges in the northeast region, highlighting that Nagaland meets only 10% of its electricity demand.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the North-East Power Conclave at Taj Vivanta in Guwahati, organised by the Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association (IEEMA), Kenye described the conclave as a “historic day” for the region and expressed hope that it would mark a new chapter in sustainable energy development.

Citing the state’s acute energy crisis, Kenye said that Nagaland suffers a 90% shortfall in electricity generation. “We produce only about 10% of our own needs,” he said, adding that this deficit has forced the state to depend heavily on the national power grid, leading to substantial expenditure from its limited budget.

“It pains us to think that for all these years, we have had to shell out a precious amount of finance for payments and bills in the power sector—whereas this could have gone to much-needed developments in health and education,” he added.

The minister described the situation as both economically burdensome and wasteful, stating that revenue collection in the sector had remained low until recent years. He attributed past stagnation to “heavy exigency losses” and structural challenges but noted recent improvements and greater focus from central agencies and partners like IEEMA.

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Despite the state’s wealth of natural resources, Kenye admitted that Nagaland has not been able to harness its own power generation potential effectively. However, he said renewed attention from the government of India and industry players could enable the state to chart a new course.

“In our world today, and especially in our lives, next to oxygen and water is power,” Kenye remarked, underscoring the essential nature of electricity in all aspects of life, from technology to development.

“It has become important that the benchmark of a developed country is its capacity to produce and use power for any purpose at hand,” he asserted.

Noting that the northeast states have strong potential in the power sector, the minister sought the support of the business community in the country—through associations like IEEMA—to focus developmental programmes in the region.

He called on industry stakeholders to go beyond commercial interests, asking them to be sensitive to the region’s political and social dynamics. The northeastern states, he maintained, deserve equal developmental focus and urged business leaders to help integrate the region into India’s larger growth trajectory.

Kenye also assured full support from the Nagaland government to companies and investors seeking to explore energy development opportunities in the region. The conclave was attended by policymakers, industry representatives, and delegates from across the northeast.