NHPC to start construction of 2GW lower Subansiri hydro plant soon

NHPC entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for setting-up of 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri project in 2010, with Arunachal Pradesh, but since it falls into the territories of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, the project also needed to be approved by Assam.

The state-run hydropower giant NHPC, who received the requisite approval from the Assam government, is expected to start construction on the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri energy station this year.

For the previous 8 years the Lower Subansiri project was stuck owing to different problems. The riverfront project on the Subansiri, a tributary to the Brahmaputra river, is mostly located in Arunachal Pradesh though some parts of the submergence area fall in Assam.

For the purposes of the establishment of the project in 2010 NHPC had entered into a contract (MoA) with Arunachal Pradesh. However, as the project falls in both the Arunachal Pradesh and Assam regions, approval of this latter was also necessary. As power project developers must sign MoAs with the respective states for setting up plants in their territories.

On 23 August 2019, the NHPC inked MoA with Assam on Lower Subansiri project. Since the project was approved by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 31st July 2019, and NHPC is anticipated to start construction of the plant shortly after the monsoon season this year.

In three years and a half, the project is expected to be completed with total expenditure of Rs 20,000 crore (with the completion of this project).

To alleviate safety fears, the dam has been designed and strengthened to withstand seismic activity up to a magnitude of 8 on the scale of Richter, making this one of India’s strongest dams.

Subansiri project work was started in 2006, but due to various issues it was halted in 2011. Any further project work was stayed by the NGT in 2013. The project was subsequently investigated by national and international experts from every angle, whether safety or environmental issues.

Finally, all the agencies, including the Ministry of the Environment, Forest and Climate, have given the project clearance. Recently, NGT has also given a nod for the construction of the project.

The project located on the boundary of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, close North Lakhimpur. The estimated annual energy generation in a 90 per cent dependable year is 7.421 million units.

Hydropower is among the cleanest green sources. This is essential for fulfilling climate commitments and ensuring grid stability. With regard to the large scale anticipated integration of infirm renewable energy sources like solar / wind.