Agartala: In a move to generate more electricity and provide 24×7 power, the power department has decided to use Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology to generate 185 MW power from flowing rivers, and 10 locations have been identified for this.
This was informed by Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath while attending the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the upcoming Super ECBC building at Banamalipur, Agartala.
The Minister said that everyone must adopt new technology, or else people will be left behind in every aspect.
“Our government is trying to adopt new technology. Rs 12.33 crore will be spent on this Super ECBC building, and five such buildings are under construction across the country. The main aim is to use electricity efficiently. For Tripura, around 378 MW of peak power demand is necessary. By 2031, 650 MW will be necessary. Development requires electricity. We are currently providing 23 hours 54 minutes of power across the state, though there are some trippings. The number of consumers is 10.57 lakh, whereas before 2018 it was 7.21 lakh, which indicates that development is happening,” he said.
The Power Minister added that when electricity is needed, it means development is happening.
“If 5 lakh families install solar panels of 2 kW under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, we will generate 1000 MW of power every day. This will also make people and the state self-reliant and help achieve power self-sufficiency through solar adoption. Just think of where the state’s economy will be—GDP will increase, and per capita income will also rise,” he said.
The Power Minister further informed that the power department is planning to install solar power systems in 2000 government buildings, and work has already started. By next year, the work will be completed, generating 80 MW of power.
“So far, 15,000 people have installed solar power systems, generating 6 MW of power. Solar energy has no end. At present, we are depending on gas, which is slowly depleting. We are adopting new technologies in the power sector. We have seen that power can be generated from Dumbur, but using Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology, we can generate 185 MW from flowing rivers. Ten locations have been identified, including Chakmaghat, Maharani, Dumboor, Natunbazar, Kalsi, Manu, Kulai, Feni, Dhalai river, and Sangan in Ampi, Lakhipur. We will be starting this from next month,” he added.
During the event, MP Rajib Bhattacharya, Mayor Dipak Majumder, and other dignitaries were present.
