Arunachal to hand over terminated hydropower projects to CPSUs

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved the handing over of five terminated hydropower projects with a capacity of 2820MW to central public sector undertakings (CPSUs).

Naying (1000MW), Hirong (500MW), Emini (500MW), Amulin (420MW), and Minundon (400MW) projects were with individual power producers before they were terminated over reasons such as delays.

The first two projects will be handed over to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited and the other three to SJVN Limited.

In a statement, the state government on Tuesday said the projects will involve an investment of ₹40000 crore over the next 5-7 years and generate green power of 2820 MW, revenue of around ₹500 crore per year, and around ₹100 crore for local area development.

It added an action plan has also been prepared to commence work on 13 priority projects with 12343 MW capacity. “This would lead to an investment of Rs.1.5 lakh cr and would provide revenue of Rs.2000 cr to state as free power and around Rs.350 Cr per year for local area development.”

The Cabinet also approved the inclusion of one male and one woman member in a committee set up under the deputy commissioner for the management of the local area development fund.

Environmentalists and residents have raised concerns about the construction of big hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh and the ecological damage it could entail.

The statement said the Cabinet has decided to harness hydro-power potential “in a sustainable manner for the benefit of local communities, state, and the nation.” It added Arunachal would contribute majorly towards India’s commitment to increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500GW through hydropower.

“Hydropower is a major source of renewable energy and if harnessed would bring in the all-round socio-economic development of the area through massive investment in infrastructure as well as provisions such as free power, local area development fund, employment, contracts and business opportunities, social sector development such as health and education.”