Shillong, Mar 12 (UNI) Meghalaya governor M M Jacob today said the state government has given more priority to the power sector during the 11th Five Year Plan to address the power crisis in the state.

Delivering his customary speech on the opening day of the state's budget session, Mr Jacob said the current power requirement in the state is 610 MW and is likely to go up to 1000 MW by the end of the 11th plan.

Presently, the said the peak power availability in the state including the central sector power was only 240 MW during the monsoons and 200 MA during the rest of the year.

Mr Jacob said due to the failure of the two monsoons in the last two seasons, the power generation had been only about 50 per cent of the capacity.

''It is necessary to augment the generation capacity of the state and also connect the state to the North East Grid for purchase of adequate power,'' the governor stated.

Since all power generation in the state is hydro based, Mr Jacob said the government has proposed to developed thermal projects in the coal-belt areas ob the state.

''A thermal power plant at Nangalbibra with a capacity of 750 MW is under consideration for implementation,'' he said.

Mr Jacob informed members of the House that the State Electricity Board has proposed to take up two more generation projects in 2007-08.

The feasibility report of the new Umtru Hydro Electric Project with a capacity of 40 MW has been forwarded to the Ministry of DONER for funding the equity component of Rs 68 crore, Mr Jacob said, adding that the feasibility report for the 25 MW Ganol Hydro Electric Project had been forwarded to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for funding for small hydro power projects.

He also said the government is in the process of formulating its own power policy to identify the hydel and thermal projects that are to be taken up in the state sector, central sector, joint venture and Public Private Partnership.

UNI