Kohima/Agartala, June 29 (IANS) The Nagaland government is looking to strengthen cooperation with Tripura and promote the adoption of innovative clean energy solutions to advance sustainable development, enhance energy security and build a greener future for the Northeastern region, officials said on Monday.
A 10-member delegation from Nagaland’s Department of New and Renewable Energy, led by Adviser for New and Renewable Energy Picto Shohe, undertook a two-day study visit to Tripura last week to learn from the state’s successful implementation of renewable energy programmes, with particular focus on the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme.
A senior official of Nagaland’s Department of New and Renewable Energy said that during the visit, Adviser Picto Shohe met with Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath and discussed avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the renewable energy sector.
The delegation highly appreciated Tripura’s achievements in promoting renewable energy, particularly in sustainable irrigation, clean drinking water, rural electrification, and community infrastructure.
The delegation also lauded the effective financial and technical support extended to beneficiaries, which has significantly contributed to the successful implementation of renewable energy programmes across the state.
In a Facebook post, Tripura Minister Nath said the visit provided an excellent opportunity for meaningful discussions on strengthening inter-state cooperation, sharing best practices, and exploring new avenues for sustainable development, particularly in renewable energy and public welfare.
He said that such engagements reinforce the spirit of collaboration among the Northeastern states and contribute towards a greener, more prosperous, and self-reliant future for the region.
The team, comprising Secretary Linda Solo, Director Er. James Khala and other departmental officials, visited several renewable energy installations developed by the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA).
The projects inspected included off-grid solar water pumping systems, solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps, an 80-kWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant under the Virtual Net Metering Arrangement, a community solar water purification plant, solar high-mast and street lighting systems, a 500-kWp grid-connected solar PV power plant developed under the RESCO model at Tripura University, a biogas plant at the Ramakrishna Mission Complex in Amtali, and a 100-kW solar power plant at the Integrated Check Post (Land Port) in Agartala.
At Sathdubai Gram Panchayat and Rangacherra Gram Panchayat, the delegation interacted with officials and beneficiaries to gain first-hand knowledge of the implementation of off-grid solar water pumps, solarised irrigation systems and the Green Village initiative, including the operation of a community solar water purification plant.
The delegation also participated in a review meeting chaired by Tripura Power Secretary Abhishek Chandra in the presence of TREDA Director Debabrata Sukla Das and other senior officials.
The discussions focused on project implementation, policy initiatives, financing mechanisms and opportunities for greater inter-state collaboration in the renewable energy sector.
On the second day of the visit, the delegation met Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shyamal Das to explore collaboration in renewable energy awareness, research, skill development and capacity-building programmes for the Northeastern region.
The team also inspected the university’s solar power plant and the biogas facility at the Ramakrishna Mission Complex, Amtali.
–IANS
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