SPSDP Inception Ceremony: CM Expresses Pride and Optimism for Sikkim’s Power Future

New Delhi, 2 December 2024: The Inception Ceremony of the Sikkim Power Sector Development Project (SPSDP), under the aegis of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was hosted at Samman Bhawan in the presence of the Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay , today. The Chief Minister in his address, expressed immense pride and optimism at the inauguration of the ADB-backed project, terming it a historic milestone in Sikkim’s developmental journey. He lauded the SPSDP as a transformative initiative that ensures reliable and high-quality power, reduces energy losses, and promotes sustainable economic growth in the state. Acknowledging ADB’s pivotal role, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt gratitude to the ADB team, particularly to Ms Sujata Gupta, Director Energy Sector Office, for her leadership and active participation. He also appreciated the support of the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, for facilitating the project under the special-category state framework, with a 90% grant through ADB funding. The Chief Minister commended engineers, officials, and contractors for adhering to ADB’s global procurement standards and urged them to maintain quality, transparency, and accountability throughout the project’s implementation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the project on time and emphasised its role in aligning with national energy goals while ensuring a sustainable future for Sikkim. He concluded his address by encouraging continued collaboration with ADB in areas such as urban development and renewable energy and assured the state’s full compliance with ADB guidelines. He reiterated his government’s dedication to fostering Sikkim’s growth, sustainability, and the well-being of its citizens. The event also featured unveiling of the brochure of the SPSDP, which outlined various initiatives aimed at transforming Sikkim’s energy sector. Following this, Mr Jigmey Namgyal, Project Director of the ADB Project from the Power Department, delivered a detailed presentation on the timeline and evolution of the state’s power sector. He traced its roots back to May 1927, with the commissioning of the first 50 kW micro-hydel project at Rani Khola, which laid the foundation of Sikkim’s power infrastructure. He also highlighted the 257 kW Diesel Powerhouse in Gangtok, established to meet rising electricity demands, and emphasized the progressive strides taken over the decades. The establishment of SPCL in 1999 was recognized as a significant milestone, leveraging Sikkim’s hydroelectric potential. The SPSDP focuses on modernising and strengthening the state’s power distribution network to ensure its resilience against climate impacts. Training programs have also been initiated in remote areas like Gurudongmar, Yuksom, and Soreng, empowering local communities with the skills needed to manage upgraded systems. To mark the successful launch of SPSDP, the Power Department presented the Chief Minister with a token of Gratitude. Additionally, a token of appreciation was given to the ADB team and all stakeholders, in recognition of their valuable contributions, which was presented through the Chief Minister. The Power Department is paving the way for a clean and sustainable energy future with the upcoming installation and commissioning of an 11kV Distribution Network Development under SPSDP, to be executed in five lots on a turnkey basis.

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