Shollong, June 25: The MeECL owns hydro power plants only and generation of power from these hydro power plants is dependent on the rainfall and the water levels.
It is a common knowledge that this year till now Meghalaya has experienced not only delayed monsoon but lesser rainfall as compared to the past. Not just MeECL, even NEEPCO hydro plants in the northeast are suffering because of deficit monsoon this year. Out of total allocation of 147 MW, NEEPCO is supplying an average of 90 MW to Meghalaya daily.
However, because of better planning and strategy, MeECL has generated an average of 150 MW (approx) from state owned plants in the month of June 2021 and has sold almost 19.5 million units of energy after ensuring 24 hours supply throughout the state.
In fact, the Myntdu Leshka project itself has been clocking the full capacity of 126 MW when the rainfall in the catchment area is good. Sometimes the MePGCL generation has been kept intentionally low to manage the water level at reservoirs when the market rate or the sale price is not that lucrative.
If compare the generation from past years, it is observed that in the past also the generation in the month of June was almost same except in the year 2020. In 2020 Meghalaya received exceptionally good rainfall. While the Northeast is experiencing weak monsoon, Bihar has had 176% above normal rainfall this year indicating signs of climate change.
It may also be appreciated that MeECL is generating optimal power with a strategy to maximise the revenue for the Corporation. This is evident from the fact that when the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) average rate for the month of June 2021 is just Rs. 2.95 per unit, MePDCL sold its surplus power at an average rate of Rs. 3.34 per unit which shows scientific planning and efficient energy management. Whereas in the past MeECL has sold surplus power for as low as 10 paise per unit.
The MeECL clarified that the rebuttal to repeated reports that MeECL is generating only 60MW and incurring losses of 50 crore due to mismanagement in generation Hence the reports are baseless and bereft of any facts.
