Agartala, Jan 4: The Tripura government identified 10 river sites to generate 185 MW of electricity using Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology as part of efforts to expand renewable energy and ensure round-the-clock power supply, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on January 3.
Speaking at the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the upcoming Super ECBC building at Banamalipur in Agartala, Nath said the initiative aimed to harness flowing rivers to meet the state’s rising electricity demand. He noted that Tripura was currently providing an average of 23 hours and 54 minutes of power daily, with the number of electricity consumers increasing from 7.21 lakh before 2018 to 10.57 lakh at present.
The minister said the state’s current peak power demand stood at 378 MW and was projected to rise to 650 MW by 2031, making the adoption of new technologies essential. The identified river sites included Chakmaghat, Maharani, Dumboor, Natunbazar, Kalsi, Manu, Kulai, Feni, Dhalai and Sangan in Ampi, Lakhipur, with work expected to begin next month.
Highlighting other renewable energy initiatives, Nath said large-scale adoption of solar power under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana could significantly boost power generation. He added that solar systems were being installed in government buildings, while private installations were also contributing to the state’s renewable energy output.
Nath said the government’s focus was on reducing dependence on depleting gas resources, promoting sustainable energy generation and strengthening the state’s economy through improved power availability. He also said the Super ECBC building, being constructed at a cost of Rs 12.33 crore, was part of a national initiative to promote energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
