Two Indian northeastern states-Tripura and Meghalaya-are looking to Bangladesh for exporting excess power produced there, and have sought their central government’s support to make this happen. Presenting Tripura’s case, their state power minister Manik Dey said at a two-day power ministers’ conference that began on Thursday that since Bangladesh was interested in purchasing 100 MW of power from the 726.6 MW Palatana power project, it was now up to New Delhi to approve it, reports The Indian Express. “The government may allow Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd, a state government undertaking, to sell 100 MW power to Bangladesh. Construction of transmission line has been already undertaken and is expected to be ready by December this year,” Mr Dey said, pleading for issue of necessary direction by New Delhi to immediately start commercial activities, reports UNB. Tripura’s 726.6 MW Palatana gas-based power project belongs to ONGC Tripura Power Company Ltd, a joint venture of ONGC, IL&FS and the government of Tripura. While Indian president Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first unit of 335 MW production in June 2013, prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second unit in December last year. Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has also moved the central government to permit it to export to Bangladesh excess power produced in the state. While Meghalaya is looking for an opportunity to maximise its power generation, especially during the monsoon period, Bangladesh was a country with high demand for power, Meghalaya power minister Clement R Marak said at the power ministers’ conference. The minister said development of hydropower projects in Meghalaya was not encouraging because despite generation far exceeding the state’s demand during the monsoon period, the same cannot be transmitted out of the region because of evacuation problems. “This results in spillage of water meant for power generation, whereas neighbouring Bangladesh is in need of power,” he said. Bangladesh has been raising objections to construction of power projects on rivers in Meghalaya that flow out to that country. “There’re four such projects in Meghalaya with a total installed capacity of 1,190 MW for which MoUs have been signed with independent power producers. Once the Centre permits export of power to Bangladesh, the neighbouring country may agree to the construction of the power projects since these will also benefit that country,” Mr Marak said.
