SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) is planning to replace the 40-year-old machinery in use in Stage-II of the Umiam Hydel Power Project with the latest machinery. According to official sources here on Tuesday, a Japanese-based firm has been awarded the contract for procuring and fitting the new machineries. Official sources stated that power generation from the Stage-II is very minimal due to the outdated machinery being used, while adding, "The process of fitting of new machines would be completed by this year." It may be mentioned that MeSEB, which was rechristened as MeECL this year, had replaced the old machinery with new ones in Stage-I of the Umiam Hydel project last year. To a query, the officials informed that the machinery being used in both Stage-III and IV are still in very good condition. Sources also informed that due to the use of outdated equipments, MeECL is able to generate only 40 mw of power on an average from the Umiam projects during the lean season from May to November, whereas the actual total generation capacity of Umiam is 185 mw. Sources also informed that the maximum output of power occurs when the water level at Umiam is around 3220 feet. The current water level at Umiam is 3170 feet.