Conrad says schools could supply surplus solar power to nearby communities
Shillong, June 2: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated a 50 KW solar power plant at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Shillong, describing it as part of the state’s push to turn schools into clean-energy hubs.
Privileged to inaugurate the 50 KW Solar PV Plant at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong under the CM Solar Mission.
What makes this initiative meaningful is that we are not just installing solar panels, but creating complete solutions with battery backup systems that… pic.twitter.com/R9AExo3fW3
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 2, 2026
The ₹50 lakh project, among the largest solar installations in an educational institution in Meghalaya, has been set up under the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission with battery backup facilities capable of supplying power even during prolonged cloudy weather.
Implemented by the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA), the project is expected to significantly reduce the school’s dependence on conventional electricity while ensuring uninterrupted power for classrooms, laboratories and digital infrastructure.
Addressing students, teachers and officials during the inauguration, Sangma said renewable energy had become essential as climate change increasingly affects livelihoods and everyday life.
“Renewable energy is no longer just an idea—it is the need of the hour,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the state government was focusing not just on installing solar panels but on creating reliable systems with battery storage and backup support — an area where many earlier renewable energy projects had fallen short.
He said more than 1.5 MW of solar capacity has already been installed in nearly 700 schools across Meghalaya under the CM Solar Mission, while work in another 1,300 schools is expected to begin shortly.
According to Sangma, the St. Mary’s project is expected to save around 6,000 units of electricity every month, reducing the institution’s power bill by nearly ₹40,000 monthly and close to ₹5 lakh annually.
In a significant announcement, the Chief Minister said the government plans to integrate net metering into such projects, allowing excess electricity generated by schools during holidays and weekends to be fed back into the grid.
“Some village, some house, some poor family will benefit from the power generated right here in this school,” he said, adding that thousands of schools could eventually contribute clean energy to nearby communities.
Sangma also announced that the Meghalaya government will soon launch a state-level innovation and technology competition aimed at encouraging students and young entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions in areas such as energy, waste management, healthcare, water supply and agriculture.
“The government will support the best ideas… We will fund their startups, help them implement their solutions, and support them in growing their businesses,” he said.
Power Department Commissioner and Secretary Dr Joram Beda said Meghalaya has an estimated renewable energy potential of nearly 14.6 GW and stressed that solar energy would play an increasingly important role in the state’s future energy security.
Following the programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated the rooftop installation and interacted with students and school authorities. A documentary on renewable energy initiatives and cultural performances by students was also part of the event.
