Arunachal Pradesh signs investment deal with NEEPCO for hydropower projects

New Delhi: In a significant push to the development of hydro projects in the state, the government of Arunachal Pradesh has signed the MoU for the 120 MW NAFRA and 90 MW New Meling Hydro Electric Projects with NEEPCO on Saturday, an official statement by the govt said. As per the MoU, the state government will invest Rs 2,100 crore in NEEPCO's hydro-power projects. On behalf of the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, the MoU documents were signed by Prashant S Lokhande, Commissioner (Power), in presence of the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and the Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.

While NEEPCO's Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) VK Singh signed the MoU documents on behalf of the company in presence of NEEPCO's Director (Technical) HK Deka, NEEPCO's Chief General Manager (Corporate Planning) A Choudhury and other officers.

The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction about the huge development and social upliftment of the three large hydro projects commissioned by NEEPCO have brought to Arunachal Pradesh. NEEPCO earlier commissioned the 405 MW Ranganadi, 110 MW Pare and 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Stations in the year 2002, 2018 and 2020-21 respectively bringing much needed clean and renewable power to the state and to the nation despite unprecedented technical challenges.

The Minister further stated that at least a dozen more hydro projects totalling around 7,800 MW capacity were in the advanced stage of finalisation for allotment to NEEPCO which will bring an investment of around Rs 80,000 crores to the state and lead to the tremendous all-round development of the state. He stated that the state of Arunachal Pradesh is benefiting hugely from the much-awaited commissioning of the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Electric Project.

Arunachal Pradesh gets 12 percent free Power from the 1,115 MW capacity of the three hydro plants commissioned by NEEPCO in addition to the host of other benefits like education, health and entrepreneurial opportunities around the project area. The Chief Minister assured all the help to NEEPCO in all its endeavours in Arunachal Pradesh.

While NEEPCO CMD VK Singh expressed his deep sense of gratitude and thanks to the Chief Minister and all the dignitaries of Arunachal Pradesh on this important occasion and assured that NEEPCO is fully capable of and is geared up to implement fast track development of the hydro potential of the state. He stated that the request of NEEPCO for Allotment of eight other hydro projects totalling approx. 7,800 MW was under active discussion and consideration of the state govt and NEEPCO has the full support of the central government and its holding company NTPC Limited in this regard.

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