Arunachal’s Clean Energy Leap: 5097 MW Hydro by SJVN

Shimla: A significant event unfolded in the presence of distinguished figures, Union Power Minister Shri R.K. Singh and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu. The historic occasion saw the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between SJVN and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, marking the collaboration for the implementation of five hydropower projects in the state, with a collective generating capacity of 5097 MW.

The MoA, signed in Itanagar, was a collaborative effort led by Shri Nand Lal Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN, and Shri Ankur Garg, Commissioner (Hydro Power) of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The event was graced by other notable figures including Deputy Chief Minister Shri Chowna Mein, Union Power Secretary Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Union Additional Power Secretary Shri Ajay Tewari, Director Finance (SJVN) Shri A.K Singh, and senior officials from the State Government, SJVN, and other public sector undertakings.

Shri Nand Lal Sharma shared that SJVN had been entrusted with the run-of-the-river scheme hydro projects, specifically the 3097 MW Etalin, 680 MW Attunli, 500 MW Emini, 420 MW Amulin, and 400 MW Mihumdon. Notably, the 3097 MW Etalin HEP stands as India’s largest hydro project currently in development. These projects were initially allocated to private developers, but due to their inability to execute them, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh rewarded the projects to SJVN.

Expressing gratitude towards the Ministry of Power, the Government of India, and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for their trust, Shri Nand Lal Sharma assured that SJVN was fully committed to completing these projects within the designated timelines. The total investment required for the construction of these projects is approximately Rs 50,000 crores, with the potential to contribute over 20,652 million units of electricity generation annually to the nation’s capacity.

Shri Nand Lal Sharma also provided project updates, highlighting that the Detailed Project Reports for the Etalin and Attunli projects have already received clearance from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). For the Emini, Amulin, and Mihumdon projects, Pre-Feasibility Reports have been prepared, and the signing of this historic MoA marks the commencement of Survey & Investigation works for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports.

These projects, upon completion, are poised to usher in a new era of comprehensive socio-economic development in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. They will play a pivotal role in enhancing infrastructure such as roads and bridges, community assets, healthcare services, women’s empowerment, skill development, education, and the generation of numerous employment opportunities, contributing to sustainable development while providing significant benefits to Project Associated Families.