Shillong, June 29: The Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Gold Award 2026 in the Power and Energy Sector for the Government of Meghalaya’s flagship Chief Minister’s Solar Mission, recognising the state’s efforts to expand clean and sustainable energy access.
The award was presented during the 108th SKOCH Summit – Public Policy Forum on “Regulatory Framework for Viksit Bharat”, held at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on June 20. It was received on behalf of MNREDA by Assistant Director Elizabeth Kharjana and Accountant Audrey H. Mukhim.
The Chief Minister’s Solar Mission is aimed at addressing energy poverty by improving access to reliable electricity through clean energy technologies. Under the initiative, households, institutions and enterprises are provided with solar hybrid inverter systems of varying capacities and solar water heaters through a combination of state subsidies, beneficiary contributions and bank financing.
The mission adopts an end-to-end implementation model covering supply, installation, maintenance and service support, with a special focus on rural and underserved areas that have limited access to the conventional power grid. The programme seeks to strengthen energy security, improve quality of life, promote socio-economic development and contribute to environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the state.
According to MNREDA, the scheme has already achieved more than 1.2 MW of additional solar capacity, with a target of installing over 10 MW under the mission.
Dedicating the award to the collective efforts of the Power Department, technical partners and participating communities, MNREDA said their collaboration has enabled the successful rollout of decentralised renewable energy solutions, particularly in remote regions. The agency reaffirmed the Government of Meghalaya’s commitment to promoting sustainable, inclusive and technology-driven energy initiatives that enhance livelihoods and improve overall socio-economic and environmental well-being.
