Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 22
Nagaland’s annual power consumption, according to the latest statistics, is 700 million units with a daily demand of 145 MW. This information was shared on Friday by the chief engineer of Power department at a public consultation initiated by the department here in Kohima.
The consultation was on “Environment and Social Policy and Procedures Framework (ESPPF)”, attended by civil organizations and executives of the department of power.
The chief engineer lamented that the department has been forced to limit its activities due to shortage of funds. For any major expansion and augmentation of DPN transmission and distribution network, according to the chief engineer, the department has to rely on “help/grant” from New Delhi and “other multilateral funding agencies like the World Bank.”
The main objective of the department of power is to ensure quality supply of power to consumers both in urban and rural areas by constructing transmission and distribution lines, sub-stations etc.
Other function includes maintenance of transmission and distribution lines to minimize power supply interruptions.
To meet these objectives in a sustainable manner, plans have been made by DPN to prepare an ESPPF to serve as a guiding instrument. The inadequate power supply remains a constraint to sustainable growth and economic development in the Northeast region, according to the officials of state’s power department.
During the consultation, Power Grid members gave a power point presentation on ESPPF. The purpose of the consultation was to discuss on ways to avoid negative impacts while carrying out projects in “environmentally and socially sensitive areas.”
An interaction session followed the “expert” presentation. Closing remarks were delivered by the chairman of SPCU Nagaland.
