Key Highlights
- 23,245 MW hydropower projects are in the pipeline in Northeast India.
- NHPC is constructing four hydroelectric projects with a total capacity of 5,500 MW in the region.
- Five additional projects with a capacity of 17,745 MW are proposed.
Hydropower Projects Under Construction
- Subansiri Lower HE Project (Arunachal Pradesh) – 2,000 MW
- Dibang Multipurpose Project (Arunachal Pradesh) – 2,880 MW
- Teesta-VI HE Project (Sikkim) – 500 MW
- Rangit-IV HE Project (Sikkim) – 120 MW
Proposed Hydropower Projects
- Siang Lower HE Project (Arunachal Pradesh) – 2,700 MW
- Three projects in Arunachal Pradesh (Total: 14,525 MW)
- Kamala HE Project – 1,720 MW
- Subansiri Upper HE Project – 1,605 MW
- Upper Siang Multipurpose Project – 11,200 MW
- Teesta-IV HE Project (Sikkim) – 520 MW
Operational NHPC Hydroelectric Power Stations in Northeast
- Total Capacity: 675 MW
- Electricity Generated (Last 5 years): 16,935 Million Units (MU)
- Operational Power Stations:
- Loktak Power Station (Manipur) – 105 MW
- Rangit Power Station (Sikkim) – 60 MW
- Teesta-V Power Station (Sikkim) – 510 MW
Renovation & Modernization (R&M) Work
- Loktak Power Station (Manipur) – 105 MW
- Commissioned in 1983, completed 35 years in 2018
- Undergoing R&M work by NHPC
These projects aim to boost India’s renewable energy capacity and enhance power supply in the Northeast.
Key Hydroelectric Projects in Assam
- Karbi Langpi Hydroelectric Project
- Location: Lengery, West Karbi Anglong District
- Capacity: 100 MW (2×50 MW)
- This project utilizes the waters of the Karbi Langpi River and features Vertical Francis Turbines.
- Kopili Hydroelectric Project
- Location: Dima Hasao District
- Capacity: 275 MW
- Components:
- Khandong Dam: Height of 66 meters, length of 243 meters
- Umrong Dam: Height of 30 meters, length of 143 meters
- Managed by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), this project harnesses the Kopili River and its tributary, the Umrong stream.
- Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project
- Proposed Capacity: 120 MW
- Objective: Aimed at meeting Assam’s growing electricity demand and maintaining a substantial share of clean energy in the state’s grid.
Hydroelectric Potential in Assam
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) estimated Assam’s renewable energy potential at 14,235 MW as of 2022.
- This includes approximately 202 MW from small hydro sources.
Challenges and Environmental Concerns
- Project Delays: The Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd (APGCL) planned to add 371.66 MW across five projects during 2017-22 but commissioned only three projects totaling 181.66 MW.
- Environmental Impact: Unregulated coal mining in Meghalaya has led to acidification of the Kopili River, adversely affecting aquatic life and impacting the efficiency of hydroelectric projects.
Assam’s hydroelectric sector plays a crucial role in the state’s energy mix, with ongoing efforts to expand capacity while addressing environmental and operational challenges.
