Shillong, March 26: Meghalaya is modernising its power infrastructure and ensuring a reliable, efficient electricity supply to its residents.

The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved initiatives under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to enhance power reliability, operational efficiency, and financial stability.

These measures include appointing an ‘advanced metering infrastructure service provider’ for smart metering, alongside substantial upgrades to the state’s substations.

Power Minister in-charge, A.T. Mondal, highlighted that the smart metering initiative, designed to curb power losses and improve billing accuracy, had faced delays due to legal challenges. “The initial bid was canceled after one of the bidders’ joint venture partners was blacklisted, a decision upheld by the High Court,” he explained.

A new tender issued on January 15, 2024, attracted three bidders, one of whom faced concerns over a previous blacklisting in Jharkhand. With the restriction subsequently lifted, all bidders were requested to extend their validity period after the original bid expired. However, Adani Energy Solutions opted not to extend, leaving the Cabinet to award the contract to a qualified bidder.

To meet growing power demands, the government has approved upgrades to key substations in Shillong, including those at NEHU and Mawlai, as well as the construction of a new substation at Mawlai Nongkwar. In Tura, where peak demand has surged to 20 MW, land has been identified for three new substations at the Sericulture Office campus, near the BSF camp in Dhanakgiri, and at MTC land in Dakopgre.

Further addressing critical power needs, the Cabinet sanctioned a pilot project to ensure uninterrupted electricity for Shillong Civil Hospital and Tura Civil Hospital. A 33/11 kV, 2×5 MVA substation will be established in Tura to provide dedicated backup power for the hospital and surrounding areas.

Acknowledging public concerns over smart meters, Mondal emphasized transparency. “The government will release detailed FAQs and engage stakeholders to address misconceptions,” he stated. To further allay fears of inflated bills, both smart and analog check meters will be installed in select locations for comparison. He added, “Smart meters, when used judiciously, could actually result in lower bills for consumers.”

Mondal also highlighted the state’s commitment to reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. “We’ve already brought losses down from 35% to 17% and aim to reach the national average of 12-13%,” he said.