Mega Hydropower Project Costing $2.6 Billion To Start Near China Border

A mega hydropower project will soon be started in India that has been in the works for 20 years now. It will be a big step for the energy transition in the country.

According to the reports, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, a state-run hydropower company will start trial runs for the Subansin Lower project in July. The Subhasin Lower Project runs through the states of Assam and Arunchal Pradesh.

Reportedly the first unit of the mega project is expected to be commissioned in December as told by finance director Rajendra Prasad Goyal. He also said that all eight units will be commissioned by the end of 2024.

Reports say that hydropower has the ability to quickly respond to fluctuations in electricity demands and that becomes crucial to balance the rise in intermittent generation of solar and wind power. Hydropower, with its ability to quickly respond to fluctuations in electricity demand, is seen crucial for balancing the grid as intermittent generation of solar and wind power rises.

Reportedly making of this this project costs 212.5 billion ($2.6 billion). After eight years of suspension, the National Green Tribunal allowed the work to resume in 2019. after eight years of suspension.

Rajendra Prasad Goyal reportedly said, “We need to get nearly 40 approvals from different departments before we start building a hydropower project. All the scrutiny should be done at this stage.” He added, “Any stoppages after the construction has begun is problematic.”

According to the reports, the large dams are a way of boosting local economies in India, especially in the borders of China and Pakistan where the situation is tense usually. It is also said that NHPC will be ordering construction for the 2.9-gigawatt Dibang project which would be India’s biggest hydropower plant.

Reportedly in order to encourage hydropower, the government has given clean energy status to the large dams. This would reportedly allow the provincial power distributors to prioritize hydropower over fossil fuel powered electricity while purchasing.

Reports say that the government has agreed upon budgetary support for certain cases on civil construction and flood moderation work.