Arunachal Pradesh, with an estimated hydropower potential of 58,000 MW, is poised to lead India’s renewable energy ambitions as the Union Cabinet approved two significant projects worth ₹3,689 crore in the state.
The projects, the 186 MW Tato-I Hydro Electric Project and the 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project, are to be developed in Shi Yomi district.
The initiatives will be implemented through joint ventures between the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) and the Arunachal Pradesh government.
The projects are part of a ₹1 lakh crore plan by the Indian government to establish Arunachal Pradesh as the country’s hydropower hub.
Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) such as NHPC, NEEPCO, THDC, and SJVN are spearheading these efforts. Immediate targets include making 12,500 MW operational within the next two years.
Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, noted that five projects are set to commence next year, while three more each are slated for 2026 and 2027.
Harnessing potential
India’s total hydropower potential for projects above 25 MW is estimated at 1,45,320 MW, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
However, only 29 per cent (42,104.6 MW) of this potential has been realised, with an additional 10.3 per cent (15,023.5 MW) under construction.
Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the nation’s hydropower potential.
Beyond energy needs, this initiative has strategic implications, given India’s ongoing border disputes with China.
The state, which China claims as part of southern Tibet, has witnessed renewed tensions. Earlier this year, India firmly rejected China’s attempt to rename 30 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting its sovereignty.
China’s ambitious dam-building activities on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which flows into India as the Brahmaputra, add to the urgency.
Projects in focus
The 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydropower Project, spanning Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, is nearing completion, with full commissioning expected next year.
Once operational, it will be India’s largest hydropower plant.
The Subansiri project, initiated in 2005, faced prolonged delays due to local protests, with construction halted between 2011 and 2019. Work resumed after clearance from the National Green Tribunal.
Meanwhile, the Dibang Multipurpose Project, set to become the nation’s largest hydropower project at 2,880 MW, is under construction in Arunachal Pradesh.
Scheduled for completion in 2032, it will feature India’s tallest dam, standing at 288 metres.
With such extensive initiatives underway, Arunachal Pradesh is expected to anchor India’s hydropower aspirations, contributing significantly to energy security.
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