Agartala, September 10: Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said the state is currently not facing load shedding, while occasional power disruptions should not be described as load shedding.
“Development of the state is not possible without electricity. Industries need power, hospitals need power, and the education sector also depends on electricity,” Nath said, underlining the importance of a reliable power supply.
His remarks came at an event in Agartala on Thursday where the Tripura Clean Energy Roadmap 2035, the green skilling programme Unnayan, and the Transforming Renewable Energy Acceleration in Tripura initiative were formally launched. The programmes are being taken up with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expand clean and renewable energy in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Nath said developing clean energy infrastructure must go alongside building a skilled workforce. More than 1,000 people are expected to receive training under the programme, including ITI graduates, Class XII pass-outs, members of self-help groups, diploma engineers and technicians.
Nath also stressed the need for trained personnel to maintain solar power systems. Installing solar panels alone is not enough, he said, as skilled workers will be required for their maintenance and servicing.
Referring to the state’s current power situation, Nath said Tripura is supplying electricity to neighbouring Bangladesh and claimed there is no shortage of power in the state. “There is no load shedding now,” he said, adding that temporary power interruptions in some areas should not be confused with load shedding.
The minister also announced a major plan to strengthen Agartala’s power distribution infrastructure. The entire electricity network within the Agartala Municipal Corporation area will be progressively shifted underground, at an estimated cost of more than Rs 1,500 crore.
According to Nath, the tender process for the project has already been completed and the work order issued. Work is expected to begin soon after the election process, following a foundation-laying ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha.
ADB Principal Energy Specialist James Kulantharaj said the Clean Energy Roadmap 2035 is intended to serve as an implementation plan for renewable energy development, energy security and green employment, rather than merely a study or report.
He said ADB began work on the roadmap in 2023 in coordination with the Tripura government and the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited. The initiative seeks to involve young people, women, farmers, entrepreneurs and local communities in the transition towards clean energy.
TS ECL Managing Director Biswajit Basu said Tripura’s present electricity demand is around 380 MW. Of this, around 190 MW is being exported to Bangladesh through the cross-border power connection. The state currently has around 60 MW of installed solar power generation capacity.
According to Basu, electricity demand is projected to reach around 520 MW by 2030 and around 800 MW by 2035.
The clean energy roadmap includes expansion of rooftop solar projects, battery energy storage systems, rehabilitation of hydropower projects, hydrokinetic projects, an 800 MW hydro pumped storage project, floating solar power and an assessment of green hydrogen potential.
Work is also underway to transform Agartala’s power distribution network into a smart grid. The planned infrastructure includes underground high- and low-voltage cables, GIS substations, a smart grid control centre integrated with SCADA and ADMS, and an underground optical fibre communication network.
The Green Skilling Programme ‘Unnayan’ will focus on preparing young people and women for employment in the green energy sector, with particular emphasis on modern applications of solar power. Successful participants will undergo assessment and receive certification through agencies recognised by the Government of India.
During the programme, three organisations each were also recognised for their work under PM-SGMBY and PM-KUSUM in the renewable energy sector.
Power Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, Finance Department Secretary P.K. Goel, Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission CEO Tarit Kanti Chakma, the Director of Skill Development, and officials from ADB, TSECL, TPGCL, TPTL and TREDA, among others, attended the event.
