Shillong, June 2: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated a 50 KW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Plant at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, under the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission, reaffirming the state’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development.
Implemented by the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA), the project is among the largest solar power installations in an educational institution in the state. The ₹50 lakh project is equipped with battery backup facilities and is expected to significantly meet the school’s energy requirements through clean and renewable power.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said renewable energy has become a necessity in the face of growing climate change challenges and stressed the importance of converting technology into practical solutions for communities.
“Renewable energy is no longer just an idea—it is the need of the hour,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government has designed the CM Solar Mission to provide complete energy solutions through solar panels, inverters and battery storage systems rather than standalone installations.
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Sangma informed that more than 1.5 MW of solar capacity has already been installed in nearly 700 schools across Meghalaya, while implementation in another 1,300 schools will begin shortly. He noted that the newly inaugurated 50 KW system at St. Mary’s can continue providing power for several days even during prolonged cloudy weather through stored battery energy.
The Chief Minister said the project is expected to save the school around 6,000 units of electricity every month, resulting in savings of nearly ₹40,000 monthly or close to ₹5 lakh annually. He also announced plans to integrate solar installations with net metering systems, enabling excess electricity generated by schools to be fed back into the power grid for the benefit of households and communities.
During the programme, Sangma also announced a major state-level technology and innovation competition aimed at encouraging students, innovators and young entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions in sectors such as energy, waste management, water supply, healthcare and agriculture.
“The government will support the best ideas. We will not just reward the winners. We will fund their startups, help them implement their solutions, and support them in growing their businesses,” he said, adding that the government is prepared to invest substantial funds in innovative projects.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Power Department, Dr. Joram Beda, highlighted Meghalaya’s renewable energy potential of nearly 14.6 gigawatts and said the government is working to bring clean energy to classrooms and communities through the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission. He informed that nearly 2,000 government schools have been identified for phased solar energy installations.
Earlier, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School Principal Sr. Sonia Chacko thanked the Government of Meghalaya and the Power Department for supporting the project. She said the solar power plant marks an important milestone in the institution’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices.
Following the programme, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the facility through a ribbon-cutting ceremony and inspected the installation. Students presented a choir performance and drill display, while a documentary on renewable energy initiatives was screened during the event.
The inauguration marks another milestone in Meghalaya’s efforts to expand renewable energy adoption and promote sustainable power solutions across the state.
