Minister for Power & Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye virtually inaugurated the 1 MW Ponglefo Small Hydro Electric Project (SHP) at Salomi village under Kiphire, District in the presence of MLA & Advisor Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards & Civil Defence Kiusumew Yimchunger at NIC conference hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on 5th June 2025.
In his inaugural speech, KG Kenye emphasized the importance and relevance of power in our everyday life adding that it helps to sustain our life and it is also the driving force behind our development. Stressing the importance of power in the modern world, Kenye said the demand for energy is required from charging our smallest gadgets of mobile phones to lighting a single light bulb to our journey and missions in space are made possible by energy and by power.
Also highlighting the abundance of natural resources in the State, Kenye said that it was time to focus and concentrate on exploring and tapping the potentials of our natural resources. He stated that all small and mini hydro projects including solar, bio or any kind of clean energy producing avenues will be explored for production and generation of energy in our state. He further said that doors will be open for the international community to invest in the power sector, especially focusing on the sector of production and energy generation.
It may be mentioned that the 1 MW Ponglefo Small Hydro Electric Project (SHP) is a run-of-the-river power project located at Salomi Village in Kiphire District, Nagaland. It is designed to generate approximately 3.9 million units (MU) of electricity annually.
This project is developed by the Department of Power, Nagaland, to enhance the state's power generation capacity using clean and renewable energy. The project utilizes the natural flow of the Likimo River, a tributary of the Tizu River, which is a perennial river in the eastern region of Nagaland.
The project was funded jointly by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the State Government. It consists of two generating units of 500 KW each, using horizontal Francis turbines. The power plant is supported by well-designed civil structures and an advanced electro-mechanical system all tailored to the region's challenging terrain. Connected to the state grid, the Ponglefo SHP will play an important role in improving the power supply in the region and promoting economic development. The project also represents the Government's effort to promote renewable energy, empower rural areas and to ensure sustainable development in the State.
Earlier during the program Minister Power & Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye virtually unveiled the plaque and switched on the power machine of the 1 MW Ponglefo Small Hydro Electric Project.
Chief Engineer of the Power Department, Er Kasho Chishi also presented a technical report of the project during the program.
(Esuihangle IA)
