Monday 13 February 2012 Government 2.0: The Road Ahead
Assam goes for cleaner, safer power projects

It is going to set up a cluster of small capacities hydro power plants in next four years

Guwahati: The Government of Assam is planning to have a cluster of small hydel power projects across the state and generate 250 MW of power in the next four years.

The state Power Department has decided to set up several small hydel power projects in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode that is facing protests, displacements and possible adverse environmental impact from mega dam projects.

The department has signed the first agreements with two private developers, Agnipa Energo for the 2 MW Pahumara project in Baksa district and Brahmaputra Infrapower for the 5MW Bordikorai project in Sonitpur district.

State Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi recently said the two small power projects are expected to be commissioned by April 2012.

Bordoloi said the small projects would not only boost the state’s power scenario but also be cleaner and safer one than the mega dam projects.

“Hydro power is a very clean form of energy and the state government has decided to give a big thrust in development of small hydro electric power projects, which are feasible in Assam and does not create social issues like displacement and rehabilitation,” he said.

Assam is witnessing huge power scarcity with the state procuring power from the national energy exchange to meet its rising demand.
The minister said that the peak demand for power in the state at present is estimated at 1000 MW but there is substantial gap between demand and supply.

The peak demand is projected to reach 1600 MW by 2011-12, 2700 MW by 2014-15 further up to 3423 MW by 2019-20.

Bordoloi said a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Assam Power Projects Development Company with equity participation from Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has been formed, which has selected the small hydel projects.

Private developers selected through transparent bidding process will operate, invest and run the power plant for a period of 35 years after which it will hand over the project to the state government.

During the 35-year period the developer would sell power to the state as well as give revenue to the state as per the power policy.
—iGovernment Bureau

Safer Power Project

Kudos for taking such a greener and safer plan. Authorities with bigger power projects' plan should also rethink of their future plans. But, just one smoky side remains to be lighted. What about the marine life there? Let's ensure that it is not disturbed by the projects.

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