Arunachal Pradesh emerges as hydropower hub with projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the pipeline

India has a hydropower potential of about 1,45,320 MW (for projects with a capacity above 25 MW)

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 25 approved two hydropower projects of 426 MW entailing an investment of Rs 3,689 crore in Arunachal Pradesh.

The two hydropower projects approved by the Union Cabinet include 186 MW Tato-I Hydro Electric Project worth Rs 1,750 crore and 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project worth Rs 1,939 crore in Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh. The projects will be implemented through joint venture companies between North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

But these two projects are only a part of the larger plan of the Indian government to make Arunachal Pradesh the country’s hydropower hub with a total investment of about Rs 1 lakh crore. On an immediate basis, it aims to make 12,500 MW of hydropower projects operational in the next two years. These projects are being undertaken by central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) such as NHPC, NEEPCO, THDC, and SJVN.

According to Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, five projects would start next year, with three each slated for 2026 and 2027.

The China factor

The move is not only aimed at contributing to India’s growth and energy needs, but is also seen as a strategic one. India and China share a 2,500 km (1553.43 mile) largely un-demarcated border, over which they fought a war in 1962. India says Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country, but China claims it is part of southern Tibet. In April this year, India issued a sharp response when China attempted to rename 30 places in Arunachal by saying that assigning “invented” names does not alter the reality that the state “is, has been, and will always be” an integral part of India.

According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India has a hydropower potential of about 1,45,320 MW (for projects with a capacity above 25 MW). But at present, 42,104.6 MW (29 percent) out of the identified potential of 1,45,320 MW has been developed and 15,023.5 MW (10.3 percent) is under construction.

Arunachal Pradesh alone has hydropower potential of about 58,000 MW, which is about 40 percent of India's total hydropower potential, according to the state's electricity commission. But, China is on a mega dam construction spree on the Yarlung Tsangpo river. This river flows into India through Arunachal and Assam, where it is called the Brahmaputra river.

Subansiri and Dibang - India’s biggest hydro projects

The 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower project, under construction in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, is likely to be fully commissioned by next year. Once operational it will be the biggest hydropower plant of India.

NHPC Ltd commenced construction work on the Subansiri Lower hydroelectric project in January 2005 after obtaining forest clearance on October 12, 2004. However, due to agitations and protests by local stakeholders, the project construction work was stalled from December 2011 to October 2019. Construction resumed on October 15, 2019, after clearance from the NGT.

But, the government is building an even bigger hydel project in the state - the Dibang multipurpose hydroelectric project, which will be of 2,880 MW. Scheduled for commissioning in 2032, the Dibang project will be the biggest hydropower project in India once ready. It will also have the tallest dam in India with a height of about 288 metres.