Work on 6 of 13 proposed Micro Hydel Projects to begin soon

ONE OF THE PROJECTS AWARDED TO COOPERATIVE SOCIETY; REMAINING 7 AWAIT FOREST AND OTHER CLEARANCE
GANGTOK, 17 June: Out of the 13 Micro Hydel Power Projects [MHPP] proposed by the Power & Energy Department for East and North districts, six have received all required clearances and work on them is scheduled to commence shortly. A micro hydel project is usually allotted to villages where the Grid supply or transmission is not possible, but electricity supply deemed necessary considering the population and requirement. Micro hydel is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produces up to 100 kW of electricity using the natural flow of water.
The MHPPs proposed by the Department for East and North Districts are: Bala MHPP with a capacity of 100 KW, Buthang- 100 KW, Lingtam- 100 KW, Lamaten- 100 KW, Kumrek- 100 KW, Bakcha- 100 KW, Phensong- 45 KW, Lingdem- 100 KW, Linza- 100 KW, B-9- 45 KW, Lower Dalapchand- 25 KW, Sawa- 100 KW and B-8- 40 KW.
Speaking to NOW!, the Power Department Secretary, AK Giri, informed that the total generation of power from the all the proposed micro hydel projects is 1,045 KW and the total cost of construction projected at Rs. 19 crore. Out of the total expenditure required, the Ministry of New and Renewal Energy will provide 70% while the North Eastern Council will fund Rs. 5 crore as gap-funding while the state’s share is about Rs. 4 crore.
The Forest clearance for six MHHPs of the 13 proposed projects has been received and the works have already been awarded. Out of the 13 MHHPs, the one of Lower Dalapchand has been awarded to a cooperative society. After completion, the project would be handed over to the local NGOs or Panchayats to operate and maintain the same, added the Secretary.
The six MHHPs ready to commence work after availing all necessary clearances are Bakcha, Phensong, Lingdem, Linza, B-9 and B-8 and the remaining seven MHHPs, mostly in East District are yet to get the forest clearance along with other necessary clearances.
The concept of carrying out mass MHPPs is to make Sikkim the first model state in micro power generation across the nation, the Secretary informs. Such micro hydel projects are mostly located in the North Eastern part of the country and if the projects planned turn out to be successful, then the model will be initiated in the other two districts of the state as well, it was further informed.