Renewable energy is the need of the hour: Meghalaya CM
Shillong, June 2
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday said renewable energy is "no longer just an idea but the need of the hour" as he inaugurated a 50 KW Solar Photovoltaic Plant at St. Mary's Higher Secondary School in Shillong under the state government's Chief Minister's Solar Mission.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said the increasing impact of climate change on livelihoods and everyday life makes it imperative for governments and communities to actively pursue clean and sustainable energy solutions.
"Renewable energy is no longer just an idea - it is the need of the hour," the Chief Minister said, adding that technology alone cannot solve problems unless it is converted into practical and sustainable solutions for people.
The project, implemented by the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA), is among the largest solar installations in an educational institution in the state. The 50 KW system, costing around Rs 50 lakh, has been equipped with battery backup facilities to ensure an uninterrupted power supply even during prolonged periods of rain or power disruption.
Highlighting the broader vision of the CM Solar Mission, Sangma said the government has moved beyond merely installing solar panels and is instead focusing on complete end-to-end renewable energy solutions with battery storage and inverter support. He informed that over 1.5 MW of solar capacity has already been installed in nearly 700 schools across Meghalaya, while implementation in another 1,300 schools will begin shortly.
According to the Chief Minister, the newly inaugurated system at St. Mary's is expected to save nearly 6,000 units of electricity every month, reducing the institution's power expenses by approximately Rs 40,000 monthly and close to Rs 5 lakh annually.
Sangma also announced plans to integrate such projects with net metering systems so that excess electricity generated by schools can be supplied back to the grid to benefit households and communities.
He further announced that the Meghalaya government will soon launch a major technology and innovation competition to encourage students and young entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions in sectors such as energy, healthcare, waste management and agriculture.
— IANS
Reader Comments
50 KW for a single school is impressive, but why stop at 700? The CM said 1,300 more schools are coming, but we need faster rollout. Climate change is real - look at the erratic weather in the Northeast. Every rupee saved in electricity is a rupee for better education.
Net metering is a game-changer! If every school in Meghalaya can feed excess solar power back to the grid, it'll reduce load on the state's power infrastructure. Rs 40,000 monthly savings per school adds up fast. This is the kind of practical policy India needs more of.
As someone from Shillong, I'm happy to see our government taking concrete steps. But I hope they also focus on maintenance - many government solar projects in the Northeast become non-functional within a year due to lack of proper upkeep. Let's see how this one fares.
It's refreshing to see a state government actually walking the talk on renewable energy. The innovation competition for students is a nice touch too - we need young minds solving local problems. Well done, Meghalaya! 👏
1.5 MW in 700 schools is just scratching the surface. Meghalaya has huge hydropower potential, but solar makes sense for remote areas where grid connectivity is weak. My only worry is the cost - Rs 50 lakh for a 50 KW system seems steep. Could we get better rates through bulk procurement?
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