Manipur Faces 150-MW Winter Power Deficit, Says MSPDCL

Imphal, August 11, 2026 (DIPR): The Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) on Tuesday outlined a series of measures, including power banking, strengthening of the distribution network, smart metering and promotion of rooftop solar, to meet the State’s growing electricity demand and manage the anticipated power shortage during the coming winter.

Addressing the 11th edition of the “Meet the Press” programme organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at the DIPR Auditorium here, Managing Director of MSPDCL, Shri M. Rabi Singh, said peak electricity demand in Manipur is projected to touch 300–310 MW during December 2026 and January 2027, even as power availability is expected to decline during the lean hydropower season.

On the widening demand-supply gap, Shri Rabi Singh said Manipur has a long-term allocated power capacity of 291.69 MW, but actual power availability dropped to around 160–170 MW during June and July 2026. During the same period, peak demand reached around 260 MW, an increase of nearly 20 MW compared to the previous year.

Explaining the reasons behind the present pressure on power availability, he attributed the situation mainly to the delayed monsoon, prolonged dry spells and reduced generation from run-of-the-river hydropower projects in the Northeast. Since a significant portion of Manipur’s power supply is linked to hydroelectric generation, changes in rainfall and water availability directly affect the amount of electricity available to the State, he said.

On the expected winter shortage, Shri Rabi Singh said the situation could become more challenging during the winter months when hydropower generation generally declines. With demand projected to reach 300–310 MW, the State could face a potential deficit of around 140–150 MW during the lean season unless additional power is arranged.

To cushion the anticipated winter shortage, MSPDCL has secured return-energy banking arrangements of up to 50–66 MW during daily peak hours from December 2026 to March 2027. Shri Rabi Singh explained that the arrangement would allow the State to draw additional power during periods of peak requirement and return equivalent energy when its power position improves.

Looking for a more stable source of power, he said MSPDCL has sought Cabinet approval to approach the concerned authorities for a firm allocation of 100 MW from the NTPC Farakka Super Thermal Power Project, covering Stage I and II, at a tariff of ₹4.14 per unit. He stated that the proposed allocation would help bridge the continuing power deficit and reduce Manipur’s dependence on seasonal hydropower generation.

On strengthening the distribution network, Shri Rabi Singh said the State is undertaking major infrastructure works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply, reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses and strengthen energy accounting.

Under the RDSS works, MSPDCL is undertaking reconductoring and bifurcation of 11-kV feeders and replacing LT bare conductors with Aerial Bunched (AB) cables. The works are aimed at improving the reliability and safety of the distribution network while reducing technical losses and unauthorised power usage.

On the progress of the loss-reduction works, MSPDCL said material supply has reached 80 per cent, while erection work has progressed to 48 per cent. The project is targeted for completion by March 2028.

Shri Rabi Singh said 36,972 beneficiaries have been sanctioned under the RDSS scheme (Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme), while 32,232 beneficiaries have already been surveyed across 1,229 habitations. The programme is expected to support network expansion and improve household electrification in areas requiring additional infrastructure.

Turning to smart metering, Shri Rabi Singh said it has emerged as an important component of the State’s power-sector reform programme. Under RDSS and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP) programme, conventional electricity meters are being replaced with smart prepaid meters.

Stating about the progress of smart-meter installation, he said around 68,400 smart meters have already been installed so far. These include 67,197 single-phase and 1,203 three-phase meters.

Extending smart metering across the distribution system, MSPDCL has also installed 2,057 distribution-transformer meters and 239 feeder meters. Such system-level metering is expected to enable the utility to track electricity flows more accurately and identify areas where distribution losses occur.

On the completion target, Shri Rabi Singh said the overall smart-metering programme is targeted for completion by September 2027. For consumers, the new system is expected to provide greater control and transparency over electricity consumption, with smart-metered consumers able to monitor real-time consumption through the MSPDCL website and mobile application.

Addressing consumer concerns over smart meters, he said MSPDCL has discontinued overload disconnections for smart-metered consumers. Consumers who have concerns about meter accuracy can request the installation of check meters to verify the readings.

Shri Rabi Singh further shared MSPDCL’s implementation on the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana as the State Nodal Agency, with a target of bringing 18,000 residential consumers under rooftop solar by March 2027.Under the rooftop solar scheme, Central Financial Assistance of ₹33,000 is provided for a 1-kW system and ₹66,000 for a 2-kW system, while systems of 3 kW or above are eligible for assistance of ₹85,800, subject to applicable guidelines.

MSPDCL has received 3,395 applications representing a proposed capacity of 11.6 MWp. Of these, 1,640 residential rooftop solar systems with a combined capacity of 6.193 MWp have already been installed. Further he mentioned about the releasing of ₹12 crore directly to 1,408 consumers. The State currently has 160 approved vendors, comprising 30 State-level and 130 national vendors.

On the potential savings for households, officials said a 1-kWp rooftop solar system can generate approximately 96 units of electricity a month under suitable conditions and potentially save a household around ₹500 per month, depending on its consumption pattern and applicable tariff.

To simplify rooftop solar installation, MSPDCL has automated feasibility approval for systems up to 10 kW through the PM Surya Ghar portal. Following installation, the utility aims to complete inspection, net-metering and commissioning within seven working days.

On the revised electricity tariff, Shri Rabi Singh said the MSPDCL tariff for FY 2026–27 has been revised, with energy charges increasing across several consumer categories. For domestic consumers, the charge for the first 100 units per month has increased from ₹5.10 to ₹5.36 per unit, while the rate for the next 100 units has risen from ₹5.95 to ₹6.25 per unit. Consumption above 200 units will now attract ₹7.10 per unit, compared with ₹6.75 earlier.

For commercial consumers, the revised energy charges stand at ₹7.07 per unit for the first 100 units, ₹7.85 for the next 100 units and ₹8.30 for consumption above 200 units.

On the overall strategy to meet the growing demand, Shri Rabi Singh said MSPDCL is adopting a multi-pronged approach involving the securing of additional power, strengthening of the distribution network, improving energy accounting through smart metering and expanding renewable energy generation through rooftop solar.

Looking ahead to the winter months, he said the immediate focus would remain on managing the anticipated shortage through energy banking and efforts to secure a firm 100-MW power allocation, while RDSS works would continue to improve the reliability of the distribution network and reduce losses.

Emphasising the need for efficient power use, Shri Rabi Singh said the effectiveness of the measures would also depend on efficient management of consumer demand, reduction of wastage and wider adoption of smart meters and rooftop solar.

Concluding the presentation, Shri Rabi Singh stated that the overall objective of MSPDCL’s initiatives is to strengthen power reliability, reduce distribution losses, improve energy accounting and accelerate Manipur’s transition towards a more efficient and renewable-energy-oriented power system.

Shri Th. Satyajeet Singh, Manager (MSPDCL), Shri A. Chingkheinganba, Manager (AMISP), Shri Yumnam Dayanta, DGM (Projects/MSPDCL), Shri Chandramani, GM (Planning) and Smt N. Purnima, Manager (MSPDCL) were the officials who were also present at the press meet.