Shillong, May 16: For the first time in odd two decades, Meghalaya has turned power surplus from power deficit! This was announced by Power Minister AT Mondal, who, however, warned that this state of being power surplus is very fluid and heavily dependent on favourable weather conditions and the uninterrupted functioning of power-generating units.
“All the state’s power generating units are operating at their full capacity,” Mondal said, adding that total power generation now stands at 360.75 megawatts. This is further supported by Meghalaya’s share from central utilities under existing power purchase agreements (PPAs).
“As of now, we are power surplus, provided all agreements with central utilities are in place,” he stated. “But this surplus is not guaranteed—it depends entirely on our generation units continuing to function smoothly.”
Mondal pointed out the delicate balance of the current situation. “If even one unit at Leshka goes down, that’s a loss of 42 megawatts. Such a drop immediately puts pressure on the entire system. So, it’s hard to say with certainty that we are comfortably surplus.”
He further explained that even small technical issues can impact production. “These are machines—something as minor as a fault in the electromagnetic system of a turbine can halt an entire unit.”
Despite these concerns, the minister affirmed that the state is currently meeting its power needs. “As of today, we are self-sufficient. If conditions remain the same, we will be fine tomorrow as well.”
Mondal also emphasized that long-term planning is in progress to secure the state’s energy future. “We are looking ahead to ensure we have enough power not just for this year, but for the period up to 2030–2035. We’re working to build a strong foundation for future needs.”
At present, Meghalaya draws a total of 367.5 megawatts, including power from central utilities like NEEPCO and NTPC. With a requirement of approximately 600 million units, current supplies are adequate, but the minister urged against complacency.
“Right now, we are surplus, so there’s no need for concern,” he said, while cautioning that the situation depends entirely on the system’s continued smooth operation.
Mondal also acknowledged the leadership’s role in maintaining power stability. “It’s a challenging task, but we’re working hard. Our Chief Minister is also actively pushing to ensure Meghalaya consistently meets its power needs through its own generation capacity.”
