Govt to Revive Kynshi Hydro Project under Old Model: AT Mondal
In a significant development, Meghalaya’s Power Minister AT Mondal has announced that the state government plans to revive the Kynshi Hydro Power Project under its original Run-of-River model. The project, which has been delayed for several years, was initially planned to be implemented as a hybrid model, but the lack of policy backing led to its shelving. Now, the government aims to restore the old Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will provide 12% free power to the state and 1% for local development.
The Kynshi Hydro Power Project is a significant initiative aimed at harnessing the hydroelectric potential of the Kynshi River in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The project was first conceived in 2009, and the government had signed an MoU with the West Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (WGHCDC) to implement the project. However, the project faced several setbacks, including environmental concerns and changes in the government’s policy on hydroelectric projects.
In 2017, the government decided to shift the project’s model from Run-of-River to a hybrid model, which involves the construction of a dam and the generation of power through both hydroelectric and thermal means. However, the hybrid model lacked policy backing, and the project was subsequently delayed.
Now, the government has decided to revive the project under its original Run-of-River model, which involves the harnessing of hydroelectric power without the construction of a dam. The Run-of-River model is considered more environmentally friendly and has been widely adopted in other parts of the country.
According to Power Minister AT Mondal, the decision to revive the project under the old model was taken after considering various factors, including the project’s socio-economic benefits and environmental impact. “We have decided to revive the project under the original Run-of-River model, which will provide 12% free power to the state and 1% for local development,” Mondal said in a statement.
Mondal also highlighted the benefits of the project, including the creation of employment opportunities and the development of the local economy. “The project will create employment opportunities for the local people and help in the development of the local economy,” he said.
The revival of the Kynshi Hydro Power Project under the old model is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s power sector, which has been facing a severe shortage of electricity. The project is expected to generate 20 MW of power, which will help in meeting the increasing demand for electricity in the state.
The project will also help in reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Hydroelectric power is considered a clean and renewable source of energy, and its generation does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions.
The revival of the Kynshi Hydro Power Project under the old model is a welcome development, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s power sector. The project’s socio-economic benefits, including the creation of employment opportunities and the development of the local economy, are expected to be significant.
In conclusion, the government’s decision to revive the Kynshi Hydro Power Project under the old model is a significant step towards harnessing the hydroelectric potential of the state. The project’s benefits, including the creation of employment opportunities, the development of the local economy, and the reduction of the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, make it an important initiative for the state’s power sector.
Source: https://hubnetwork.in/govt-to-revive-kynshi-hydro-project/
