Nagaland woos energy investors, flags stalled solar and power deals

Nagaland has invited private companies to invest in its largely untapped solar and hydropower potential, while pressing firms that signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) years ago to finally begin work.

The call came at the North East Energy Summit 2026, held at The Niathu Zone in Chümoukedima on Friday under the theme "Northeast: India's Energy Frontier", according to a state DIPR report carried by The Morung Express.

'Why not Nagaland?'

KD Vizo, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister's Office and in charge of Power and Law & Justice, told delegates that companies investing thousands of crores in other states should consider Nagaland, and that the Power Department was ready to welcome them.

He said several PPAs signed under the state's 2018 Power Policy had been pending for close to four years without any progress. Among the projects he listed:

• two 20 MW solar plants, one contracted at Rs 4.14 per unit;
• a 27 MW thermal plant at Tuli at Rs 4.80 per unit;
• a 10 MW biomass plant at Tuli at Rs 5.06 per unit;
• a 22.5 MW hydropower project.

Rooftop solar lags far behind

Vizo admitted that rooftop solar has been slow to take off, with only about 650 installations against a target of 10,900. He blamed low public awareness, despite central and state subsidies and bank support.

The state is planning 17 Solar Model Villages, one in each district, and tendering is under way, he said. Work on the Chief Minister's solar scheme is also in progress.

On transmission, he said the 220 kV Zathima-Dimapur line is at an advanced stage and, once commissioned, should steady supply in Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Tuensang and Mokokchung districts. Extra-high-voltage lines are also being extended to districts such as Mon. The government aims to make the power sector profitable within two years through transformer upgrades, stronger distribution lines and smart meters under central schemes.

Minister wants follow-through

Power Minister KG Kenye, who inaugurated the summit, urged departments, industry, public sector firms and banks to identify priority projects and set up a mechanism to track commitments made at the event. He said a proposed NEES Declaration should set out clear priorities, responsibilities and timelines.

The summit was organised by Nagaland's Geology and Mining Department with the North East Energy Summit under the Nagaland Energy Chapter. Sessions covered upstream oil and gas, Nagaland's hydrocarbon potential, renewables and the North East Gas Grid and city gas distribution.

Why it matters

Nagaland buys much of its electricity from outside the state, and frequent outages remain a common complaint. Whether stalled PPAs move forward will be an early test of the summit's promises.