Aizawl

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Tuirini small hydropower project in Aizawl district, a Rs 676.98 crore initiative aimed at strengthening the state’s power self-sufficiency.

Officials said the project will have an installed capacity of 24 megawatts and will be executed as an externally aided venture, with funding support from the New Development Bank through a loan arrangement.

Under the funding pattern, 80 per cent of the project cost will be met by the Centre, while the remaining 20 per cent will be contributed by the Mizoram government.

Addressing the event, Lalduhoma described the day as significant for the state, stating that the hydropower project forms part of the government’s broader push to make Mizoram self-reliant in electricity generation.

He said the state has already commissioned a 10 MW solar power plant at Thenzawl in Serchhip district in December last year, while construction is underway on another 5 MW solar facility at Sumsuih in Aizawl district. Both solar projects are fully owned by the state government, he added.

The chief minister said the government is undertaking sustained efforts to boost power generation capacity and reduce dependence on external sources. He noted that two additional power projects are in the pipeline.

According to Lalduhoma, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 132 MW Tuivai hydropower project in Saitual district, near the Manipur border, has been completed. Meanwhile, the DPR for the Tlawng hydropower project near Aizawl is expected to be finalised by September this year.

To further expand solar capacity, the state government has issued an Expression of Interest to private developers for setting up solar power plants at five locations across Mizoram, he said.

The chief minister said that 791 rooftop solar installations have been completed so far, with a combined installed capacity of around 2.62 MW.

He also said a pumped storage project is being planned on the Tuichang river near the Vankal solar park in Khawzawl district. The proposed project would store water at higher elevations during periods of low demand and generate electricity during peak hours, or alternatively sell power through trading mechanisms.

Lalduhoma noted that Mizoram has long-term power purchase agreements with central generating stations despite not yet being fully self-sufficient in generation. When the state is unable to fully utilise its allocated power quota, surplus electricity—particularly during daytime and late-night hours—is available for trading.

He said timely payment of power bills has enabled the state to earn rebates worth Rs 6.57 crore, while power trading has generated revenue of Rs 172 crore, resulting in a net profit of Rs 87.21 crore. Overall financial gains from timely payments and trading activities amounted to Rs 93.79 crore, he added.

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Officials said the Tuirini hydropower project is expected to be completed within five years.