Assam govt plans energy surplus, to list two power utilities
Guwahati, June 16
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced an ambitious roadmap to transform the State from an energy-dependent region into an energy-surplus State, with a focus on reliable and affordable electricity supply, clean energy transition and stronger power sector utilities.
Chairing a high-level meeting with stakeholders from the power sector, Sarma reviewed the State's energy infrastructure and outlined a series of measures to strengthen power generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the government is working to ensure uninterrupted and affordable power supply while building financially healthy utility companies and accelerating Assam's transition to clean energy.
As part of the roadmap, the State government has decided to list two major power utilities, Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited (AEGCL) and Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (AGCL), on the stock exchange. The move is expected to enable the utilities to access capital from India's financial markets for future expansion and infrastructure development.
Sarma noted that Assam has already achieved transmission and distribution (T&D) losses of around 13 per cent, which is lower than the national average. However, the government has set a target to further reduce these losses to 8 per cent over the next few years through improved efficiency and network upgrades.
The Chief Minister also reiterated the government's "zero tolerance" policy towards power theft, describing it as a major obstacle to improving the financial health of the power sector.
To strengthen energy security, the State will explore enhancing its pump storage project capacity, a move expected to help balance the grid and support the integration of renewable energy sources.
The government has also directed officials to expedite all ongoing power projects across the State and examine the feasibility of setting up small hydroelectric projects in suitable locations.
The initiatives form part of Assam's broader strategy to modernise its power sector, attract investments, ensure long-term energy sustainability, and meet the State's growing electricity demand.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive to see Assam's T&D losses already below national average at 13%. Reducing it to 8% is ambitious but doable. The pump storage projects for grid balancing are a smart idea, especially with renewable energy integration. Let's hope these plans translate into ground reality! 💡
Interesting development. The zero-tolerance policy on power theft is crucial. In many Indian states, thefts and illegal connections are a huge drain on resources. If Assam can crack down on that and improve efficiency, it could become a model for other states. Hope the small hydro projects are environmentally sustainable though.
Finally some concrete steps for energy security in Assam! Being from the Northeast, I know how power cuts affect daily life. But listing utilities on stock market needs careful regulation—don't want private players to make electricity unaffordable for rural households. Hope the CM keeps his focus on 'accessible' power, not just 'surplus' power. 😊
A responsible step forward. Grid modernization and clean energy transition are exactly what India needs at state level. However, I hope the 'zero tolerance' on power theft is applied uniformly and not just against smaller consumers. Also, small hydro projects must respect local ecosystems—Assam's biodiversity is too precious to compromise.
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