13 hydroelectric projects to attract Rs 1.4 lakh crore investment in Arunachal Pradesh: RK Singh

Union Power Minister RK Singh announced that 13 under-construction hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh, with a combined generation capacity of 13,000 MW, are set to attract an investment of approximately Rs 1.4 lakh crore. During his visit to the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project on Monday, Singh inspected the construction sites and expressed satisfaction with the progress.

Singh highlighted the significance of hydropower projects, stating that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has entered into MoUs with central public sector undertakings for these projects. The combined hydroelectric capacity of these projects is expected to quadruple per capita income in the state and contribute to the nation's clean power goals.

In addition to the Subansiri project, Singh noted that five hydel projects are under construction in Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting the growth and investment in hydro potential in the region.

Singh emphasised the importance of hydropower in the energy transition and reducing emissions. He mentioned the efforts being taken to tap into the available hydropower capacity in the country, with a current capacity of 47,000 MW, representing 35 per cent of the available hydropower potential.

"Our challenge hence is to add power capacity as fast as the growth in our power demand," Singh stated. Despite the substantial growth in power capacity over the past years, he highlighted that India's power consumption is still low compared to developed countries.

Singh outlined the ongoing efforts to meet the rising power demand, with under-construction capacity in renewables at around 70,000 MW and in thermal at 27,000 MW. The country is set to add another 53,000 MW of under-construction thermal capacity to meet the power demand projected for 2030.

He concluded by affirming the government's commitment to providing power to states that request it and highlighted India's transition from a power deficit nation to one with sufficient power, even exporting to neighboring countries.

(With PTI inputs.)