Singh says hydropower promotes growth of flora & fauna
The Government and the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh have come together to rejuvenate and execute 12 stalled hydro-electric power projects in the state, allocating cumulative Installed Capacity of about 11,517 MW to Hydro PSUs under the Ministry of Power.
A Memorandums of Agreement was signed in Itanagar on 12 Aug 2023 at a ceremony attended by Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh; Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein; Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, and other officials of the Central and State Governments (see picture).
Minister Singh said, “Hydropower is a green source of energy. Its usage will also increase the ground water level and promote growth of flora & fauna.”
He pointed out that all the developed nations including the USA, Canada and Norway have harnessed 80%-90% of their hydropower potential.
Out of these 12 projects, five projects of 2,620 MW have been allocated by the State Government to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO), five projects of 5,097 MW to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN) and the remaining two projects of capacity 3,800 MW to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
The project allocated to companies:
Tato-II HEP (700 MW) – NEEPCO;
Tato-I HEP (180 MW) – NEEPCO;
Heo- HEP (240 MW) – NEEPCO;
Naying HEP (1,000 MW) – NEEPCO;
Hirong HEP (500 MW) – NEEPCO;
Etalin HEP (3097 MW) – SJVN;
Attunli HEP (680 MW) – SJVN;
Emini HEP (500 MW) – SJVN;
Amulin HEP (420 MW) – SJVN;
Mihumdon HEP (400 MW) – SJVN;
Subansiri Upper HEP (2000 MW) – NHPC;
Subansiri Middle (Kamala) HEP 1800 MW – NHPC.
These projects were earlier allotted to private sector developers about 15 years ago but remained non-starters due to various reasons, the Power Ministry said.
The State Government, therefore, decided to rope in Central Hydro PSUs to give a push to the languishing projects.
Development of these projects will contribute towards achieving the declared Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of achieving 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity of India by 2030. Hydro Power will also be an effective contributor to the objective of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by the year 2070.
These projects are also expected to create huge employment opportunities in the region and boost the local economy as well as foster skill development and technical expertise in the region.
The projects are expected to result in an estimated investment inflow of about Rs.126,500 crores to the state of Arunachal Pradesh, said the Ministry. Fiinews.com
