SATURDAY, MAY 03, 2025
Solar Solution to Shortages
Published on Apr 17, 2025
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- More than a month after announcing the government’s green energy plan in his budget speech, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched the Nagaland Solar Mission earlier this week, a move that can significantly alleviate the state’s acute power crisis if implemented effectively. This initiative – installation of residential roof-top solar (RTS) systems – which promises to provide a subsidy of INR 20,000 per kW and a maximum of INR 50,000 for up to 3 kW, is intended to be implemented in convergence with the Prime Minister Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (free electricity scheme). The state government has allocated INR 10 crore for the mission during the current financial year (FY 2025–26). It was informed that the total subsidy (after availing state and GoI schemes) will be between 85% and 96% based on power output, drastically cutting the solar installation cost. By launching the ambitious mission, the Rio government has made its resolve to tackling the state’s perennial power shortages very clear. But however noble the intention may be, efficient planning and execution are pertinent to achieving the desired goal for any project. Funds should reach the target audience and not end up in the pockets of the corrupt, which normally is the case for many government schemes and programmes.
- We have been made aware that Nagaland spends close to INR 300 crore annually on power purchase. This is a huge amount for a revenue-starved state. The concerned department has taken up several measures, including stopping power theft, creating awareness of the need to pay electricity bills on time, and installing smart prepayment meters to increase revenue, but the state continues to face power shortages, leading to frequent outages. The situation is only getting worse due to the ever-increasing demand amid rapid urbanisation and change of lifestyle. However, energy consumption is bound to increase in a developing economy, so the only way forward is to meet the demand. For instance, most industries require an uninterrupted power supply, while facilities like cold storage, waste recycling plants, and several others need reliable electricity. No company worth its salt will invest in a state that can’t provide uninterrupted power, which is a basic necessity. The state government should prioritise enhancing power infrastructure, particularly hydroelectric power plants, to meet the ever-growing demand. The state’s initiative to empower households with solar energy is a laudable alternative solution. If effectively implemented, this scheme can lower electricity bills, reduce the government’s expenses on the purchase of power, and address power deficits.
Nagaland Districts
