Agartala: Tripura’s long-standing reliance on natural gas for its power needs is at a crossroads, with the state’s Energy Minister, Ratan Lal Nath, cautioning that dwindling reserves are forcing a significant drop in electricity generation.
Speaking at a programme in Durgachowmuhani, Dhalai district, the minister underscored the urgency for the state to pivot towards solar energy as the only sustainable solution for the future.
The grim reality of the situation was laid bare as Nath revealed the declining output from four of the state’s five gas-based power plants. The Palatana plant, the state’s flagship facility with a designed capacity of 726 MW, is currently producing a reduced 520 MW.
Similarly, the Manarchak plant, meant to generate 100 MW, is down to 60 MW, while the RC Nagar NEEPCO unit is operating at 80 MW against its 135 MW capacity. Even the Rokhia plant, with an installed capacity of 63 MW, is now generating 80 MW.
With the northeastern region’s daily power demand currently standing at 370 MW and projected to escalate to 700 MW by 2030, the minister’s call to action is particularly pertinent. “Gas generation is reducing due to a shortage of supply to these plants. We must understand that the gas reserves in the state are dwindling with every passing day,” Nath stated, urging the public to embrace the shift to solar power.
He highlighted the state government’s proactive measures, including the launch of the PM Surya Ghar scheme, which he described as a transformative initiative to turn ordinary consumers into ‘energy sellers’. Under this scheme, households can generate solar power and sell the surplus to the grid. The Tripura Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) will purchase this surplus power, offering residents a new avenue for financial gain.
In addition to the solar push, the minister also outlined other steps to bolster the state’s energy security. Efforts are underway to restore the Gomati hydro-power project, which has been non-operational since last year’s floods. Furthermore, a new pump storage project is planned for the Dhalai district, aimed at further enhancing the state’s power infrastructure. The minister’s message was clear: a multi-pronged approach is necessary to secure Tripura’s energy future in the face of its dwindling natural resources.
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