Nagaland has 8,978 MW renewable energy potential but only 113.75 MW installed, Parliament was informed on Wednesday
KOHIMA — Nagaland has an estimated renewable energy potential of 8,978.08 MW, but only 113.75 MW has been installed so far, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power Shripad Yesso Naik, in a written reply in Parliament on Wednesday, informed that the state's renewable energy potential comprises 7,290 MW of solar power, 182.18 MW of small hydropower, 53.90 MW of biomass power and 1,452 MW of large hydropower. The state has no estimated potential for wind or waste-to-energy projects.
As of June 2026, Nagaland's installed renewable energy capacity stood at 3.68 MW of solar power, 35.07 MW of small hydropower and 75 MW of large hydropower, taking the total installed renewable energy capacity to 113.75 MW. No biomass power capacity has been installed.
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The minister stated that Nagaland generated 97.90 million units (MU) of renewable energy, excluding large hydropower, during 2025-26, while large hydropower contributed 228.33 MU, taking the total renewable energy generation to 326.23 MU.
For 2026-27 (up to May), renewable energy generation stood at 5.82 MU, with large hydropower contributing 15.83 MU, for a combined total of 21.65 MU.
The minister attributed the underutilisation of the state's renewable energy potential to relatively lower solar irradiation compared to many other states, difficult hilly terrain, extensive forest cover, shorter working seasons and low electricity demand. These factors increase project costs, complicate infrastructure development and make access to project sites more challenging.