NEW DELHI : Arunachal Pradesh took a significant step towards clean and sustainable energy on Tuesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES&HS) and Norway-based Tidal Sail AS for the implementation of a 500 kW River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Project in the state.
Supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and Innovation Norway under the India-Norway Green Partnership, the project aims to establish India’s first River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Plant in Arunachal Pradesh.
The project will demonstrate Norwegian technology capable of generating electricity directly from river currents without requiring major civil infrastructure, offering an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective renewable energy solution.
Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul described the MoU as a landmark for the state, saying it reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and international cooperation. She said Arunachal Pradesh’s vast river systems offer immense untapped renewable energy potential and that the project would strengthen the state’s transition to clean energy while ensuring environmentally responsible utilisation of natural resources.
The minister also thanked the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Tidal Sail AS, Innovation Norway and other partner institutions for their continued support. She expressed confidence that the collaboration would contribute to a cleaner, greener and more energy-secure future while deepening renewable energy cooperation between India and Norway.
Norwegian Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener said the project represented a practical partnership between the two countries in advancing clean energy technologies. She noted that Arunachal Pradesh’s river systems make the state an ideal location for demonstrating river kinetic energy technology and highlighted the expanding cooperation between Norway and Arunachal Pradesh in geothermal energy, geotechnical engineering and sustainable infrastructure.
CES&HS Director Tana Tage said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to diversify Arunachal Pradesh’s renewable energy portfolio and explore decentralised power generation for remote and inaccessible areas. He said successful demonstration of the technology could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, preserve river ecosystems and position the state as a leader in next-generation renewable energy.
He also highlighted the growing collaboration between CES&HS and Norwegian institutions, including the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, in the fields of geothermal energy and sustainable infrastructure, expressing hope that continued technical cooperation would promote environmentally responsible infrastructure development in the state.
The MoU marks another milestone in India-Norway cooperation in renewable energy and is expected to facilitate the deployment of advanced river kinetic energy technology in Himalayan river systems, contributing to sustainable development, environmental conservation and long-term energy security in Arunachal Pradesh.
