New Delhi has said that the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project at Gerukamukh in Assam’s Dhemaji district will be commissioned by 2022-23.
A senior official in the Union Ministry of Power said that Central and state governments, both in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, have been trying to get some “modified modalities” so that the work starts.
New Delhi has put the northeastern states at the “high priority zone” as far as hydro power potential is concerned.
As per the re-assessment study completed by Central Electricity Authority in 1987, the identified hydro power potential in the country was assessed as 1,48,701 MW (1,45,320 MW from Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs) above 25 MW capacity) which included 62604 MW of hydro potential in NE Region including 4248 MW in the state of Sikkim.
At present, 204 hydroelectric stations (above 25 MW) with total installed capacity of 45399.22 MW are in operation across India.
“The state of Arunachal Pradesh has high potential for generating hydro power,” said the official.
The hydroelectric potential of Arunachal Pradesh is 50328 MW (50064 MW in respect of HE Scheme above 25 MW). Out of the identified capacity, two HE projects, namely, Ranganadi (405 MW) and Pare (110 MW) aggregating to 515 MW are in operation in the state.
“Three HE projects, namely, Kameng (660 MW), Lower Subansiri (2000 MW) and Gongri (144 MW)are presently under construction in Arunachal Pradesh,” said the official.
The state government has allotted 107 HEPs with aggregate capacity of 49386.5 MW, out of which 17 HEPs of 16952 MW have been cleared by CEA but yet to be taken up for implementation and7 HEPs of 397 MW have been cleared by the state government.
“These HEPs will take about 36 to 114 months’ time for completion from the date of start of construction. However, 20 HEPs of capacity 12340.5 MW have been either terminated or dropped by the state government as per Basin study recommendations,” said the official.
