New Delhi: In a significant boost to India's hydropower sector, NHPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for the development of the 3,097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project in the Dibang Valley district of the northeastern state.
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The agreement, signed on June 16, marks the beginning of the development of one of India's most ambitious hydropower projects. The MoA has been signed in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, NHPC Director (Projects) Sanjay Kumar Singh, and senior officials from the state Government and NHPC Ltd.
The agreement has been formally signed by Deepak Rattan Sagar and Hage Lailang.
Under the MoA, NHPC has been granted permission to undertake preliminary investigations, prepare the pre-feasibility report and Detailed Project Report (DPR), arrange financing, and subsequently develop, commission, operate and maintain the project. The hydropower project, located on the Dri and Tangon rivers in the Dibang Basin, will be implemented on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis with a lease period of 40 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD). It will be developed as a run-of-the-river scheme in accordance with the Arunachal Pradesh Hydro Power Policy.
Commenting on the development, NHPC Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Bhupender Gupta said that the Etalin Hydroelectric Project reflects the shared commitment of NHPC and the Arunachal Pradesh government to harness the state's vast hydropower potential in a sustainable, environmentally responsible and community-centric manner.
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He said the project is expected to generate long-term socio-economic benefits for the region while creating substantial livelihood and development opportunities for local communities. Gupta further noted that, upon commissioning, the Etalin project will become the largest hydroelectric project in India, making a significant contribution to the country's clean energy transition, energy security and sustainable development goals.
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