Itanagar, Sep 19 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday said the state’s potential in harnessing its hydropower resources can play a major role in India’s clean energy transition and contribute to the country’s energy security.
Addressing a conference on ‘Financing India’s Journey Towards a Viksit Bharat’ in the national capital, he said hydropower is stable and dependable renewable energy and complements intermittent sources such as solar and wind.
Sustainable development of Arunachal Pradesh’s hydropower resources should not be viewed only as a state priority but as a strategic national opportunity, said the deputy chief minister who also holds the power and hydropower portfolios.
“Arunachal Pradesh has an assessed
hydropower potential of nearly 58,000 MW, accounting for around 40 per cent of the country’s total hydropower potential. The state has set a target of harnessing 40,000 MW of hydropower capacity by 2047,” he said.
Highlighting the progress in the sector, Mein said the state’s installed hydropower capacity has increased from 405 MW in 2016 to around 1,200 MW, and further to 2,270 MW following the recent commissioning of the Subansiri Lower Project.
Under its ‘Decade of Hydropower 2025-35’ vision, Arunachal Pradesh plans to commission 19,000 MW of new hydropower capacity, supported by an investment pipeline of around Rs 1.9 lakh crore.
Mein said around 19,000 MW of projects are already at various stages of development, including a 4,880 MW facility under construction. The hydropower sector is expected to create more than 30,000 direct and 16,000 indirect employment opportunities, he said.
Given the state’s difficult terrain and remote locations, he called for integrated planning of hydropower projects with high-capacity transmission systems and renewable energy aggregation infrastructure.
He said responsible development of hydropower, supported by strong transmission infrastructure and increased investment, could enable Arunachal Pradesh to make a significant contribution to India’s clean energy transition while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth. PTI UPL UPL NSD
