North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO), a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, is the largest power generator in the Northeast, contributing 40 per cent of the electricity generated in the region. Currently, the corporation operates a combination of hydro and thermal power plants, along with the first solar plant in the Northeast—a 5-megawatt facility in Tripura.
Business North East (BNE) recently spoke to NEEPCO Director Rajesh Kumar Jha regarding the status of power generation capacity in the Northeastern region and the challenges in hydro and thermal power generation.
When asked about what steps NEEPCO is taking to enhance power generation capacity in the Northeastern region, Jha revealed that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently approved two mega projects in the Shiyan Basin, located in Shi Yomi District, at a place called Tato, just below Mechuka, near the sensitive Sino-Indian border.
He said out of the five proposed projects, which collectively amount to 2,626 megawatts, two projects—Tato 1 and Hio—have received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
Involving an investment of nearly Rs 3,900 crore, these projects will boost power generation while creating employment opportunities and contributing to sustainable development through CSR initiatives.
"NEEPCO is fully committed to CSR activities in both operational and upcoming project areas, with a strong focus on girls and women empowerment. I am proud to say that our pilot projects were highly successful last year. This year, we plan to expand these initiatives as large-scale projects across all six Northeastern states," said Jha.
Speaking of the challenges in hydro and thermal power generation in the Northeastern region, Jha said the region’s geography poses a massive challenge for hydro projects.
"Educating local communities about the benefits of hydro projects is essential. These projects not only ensure energy security for the country but also promote industrial growth and infrastructure development, which are key priorities for both the central and state governments. Through our community outreach programs, rehabilitation efforts, and skill development initiatives, we are addressing concerns among locals. For example, we plan to establish an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) in Roing District to train local youth and provide them with employment opportunities," stated the director of NEEPCO.
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Regarding geological challenges, Jha mentioned that hydro projects often encounter unexpected geological conditions during tunnelling despite extensive planning and assessment. In thermal power generation, fluctuating international gas prices significantly impact the cost of production, leading to higher electricity prices, Jha said.
"However, with the support of the central and state governments, we are confident in overcoming these challenges and ensuring the availability of affordable electricity for the region," said Jha during the BNE interview.
Meanwhile, NEEPCO generated 6166 MU of electricity in 2017-18 and provides about 40 per cent of the energy requirement of the North East Region of India. NEEPCO has hydro, thermal (gas) and renewable (solar) project portfolios. Except for Manipur, NEEPCO has a presence across all six states of the region.
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