In the wake of inaugurating a significant solar project, Meghalaya has taken a decisive step by scrapping its plans for a 500 MW thermal power plant. The decision came after the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) demonstrated a keen interest in promoting green energy within the region. Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal confirmed this development on Saturday, asserting that the Meghalaya cabinet had approved the proposal to abandon the thermal power project.

Minister Mondal elaborated that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) previously established with NEEPCO would be nullified following the cabinet’s decision. However, the government remains committed to exploring avenues for the project’s execution in collaboration with other interested parties, aiming to address the substantial power deficit in the state.

“We received communication from NEEPCO expressing their disinterest in pursuing the thermal power project, as they align themselves as a ‘green’ company and will not invest in thermal initiatives,” shared a senior official from the power department.

The turn of events occurred on the heels of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s launch of the CM Solar Mission, an ambitious endeavor with a budget of ₹500 crore. Designed to mitigate the state’s power crisis, Sangma characterized the people-centric initiative as a pioneering step towards fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly energy transformation across Meghalaya.