Karaiba Chawang
Kohima / January 29
WITH HYDRO power projects in the State failing to generate power up to its set capacity, Power officials are blaming this on the shortfall of rain and river water this year, due to massive deforestation.
Officials from the power department, including Doyang Hydro Project, said this year because of the lack of rain, the two hydro projects- 74 MW Doyang HPP run by NEEPCO and the 24 MW Likimro HPP could not generate power up to its set capacity. Officials pointed out that the cause of this shortfall in both rain and river water could be due to deforestation over the years.
“Even the Dhansari River is drying up”, said Chief Engineer (Power) DA Shishak, although he did mention that the adverse impact of deforestation on hydro project needs to be seriously studied.
Doyang Hydro Power Project, commissioned with 74MW capacity, has failed to generate power up to its target this year due to shortfall in rainfall, an official from the power department said. Initially, as per the agreement between the State government and NEEPCO, the State of Nagaland is to get 12MW as its share. But at present Nagaland’s share varies, according to its demand. Similar condition dogged the lone State owned 24 MW Likimro Hydel Power Project.
Shishak said that at present only one 8MW turbine, out of the 3 turbines, is running. Even this is not fully generating power up to its capacity due to shortfall in the river water.
Shishak, however, expressed hope that with the onset of monsoon season the present difficulties will be overcome, and all the 3 turbines would be functional.
However, the Chief Engineer also said that 24 MW Likimro Hydel Power Project would be handed over to a private party shortly. He said although nothing has been worked out so far, the only State owned mini hydel power project is likely to be taken over by a private company in a short while. “We are planning to hand over to somebody, though nothing has been worked out so far”, said the Chief Engineer, expressing hope that power regeneration will also be improved.
If this attribute is true on reports of rampant deforestation, the prospect of Nagaland, which is believed to be a potential abode for many such hydro- power projects remains bleak. But, Kohima DFO L. Kire has different view. He said that though lean river water and subsequent shortfall of water in the hydro power project reservoir may be partly attributed to deforestation, it will be wrong to put the whole blame on it.
Kire said that the world climatic condition has drastically changed because of so many reasons and the shortfall of rainfall cannot be only due to deforestation.
Moreover, Kire said one phenomenon that always threatens the hydro project is the siltation in the reservoir. As years run up, silt accumulation in the reservoir increase and reduce its capacity, thereby reducing power generation. “Every hydel project has its own life span”, Kire said adding that the impact of deforestation on river water need not be so alarming.
Meanwhile, sources close to Doyang Hydro Project said that the its second phase is likely to start this year as the necessary amount has been sanctioned.
.jpg)
