ITANAGAR : In a major boost to Arunachal Pradesh’s hydropower sector and India’s renewable energy ambitions, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Greenko Demwe Power Limited for implementation of the 1750 MW Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project in Lohit district.
The project will be executed on a BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) basis and is among the largest hydropower collaborations undertaken with a private sector developer in the state.
The MoA was signed between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Greenko Demwe Power Limited, formerly Athena Demwe Power Limited, for execution of the project near Parasuram Kund and Brahma Kund on the Lohit River.
Joint Secretary (Hydropower) Hage Lailang signed the agreement on behalf of the state government in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Hydropower Minister Chowna Mein and Hydropower Commissioner Sonam Chombay.
The project forms part of the Government of India’s ambitious 50,000 MW Hydroelectric Initiative aimed at expanding the country’s renewable energy capacity.
The Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project will have an installed capacity of 1750 MW, comprising five generating units of 342 MW each and one unit of 40 MW. The project is expected to generate around 7,326 million units of electricity annually in a 90 per cent dependable year at 95 per cent plant availability.
According to official details, the project will feature a concrete gravity dam with a maximum height of 163.12 metres and a crest length of 474.35 metres. The reservoir at Full Reservoir Level will have a storage capacity of 516.38 million cubic metres and a water spread area of around 1,131 hectares.
The hydropower infrastructure will include six diversion tunnels, underground pressure shafts and a large surface powerhouse on the right bank of the Lohit River. The powerhouse will operate with Vertical Francis Turbines designed for a head of 112 metres and a discharge of 1,729 cumecs.
The project site in Lohit district is strategically connected through Dibrugarh Airport, Tinsukia railhead and road access from Parasuram Kund.
Besides strengthening India’s renewable energy capacity, the project is expected to generate large-scale direct and indirect employment opportunities during both construction and operational phases. It is also expected to contribute to infrastructure development, improved connectivity and economic growth in the region.
The state government reiterated its commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable hydropower development while ensuring benefits reach local communities.
Officials said the agreement reflects growing investor confidence in Arunachal Pradesh as a key destination for clean energy and infrastructure investment, expressing confidence that the Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project will emerge as one of the flagship hydropower projects in the country.
