Arunachal Pradesh is set to witness a major expansion in its hydropower sector, as the state government and NHPC Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop the 3,097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project in the Dibang Valley district.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, NHPC Director (Projects) Sanjay Kumar Singh, and senior officials from both the state government and NHPC.
The MoA was signed by NHPC Group General Manager Deepak Rattan Sagar and Joint Secretary (Hydropower), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Hage Lailang, marking a significant step toward advancing one of India’s largest proposed hydropower projects.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu described the Etalin project as a transformative initiative for the state and the country’s clean energy ambitions. He said the project is expected to generate around 11,600 million units of clean electricity annually after commissioning.
According to Khandu, the project will strengthen the national power grid, support economic growth, and create infrastructure, employment opportunities, and development prospects in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh. He also emphasised that the project should be implemented sustainably while ensuring the involvement of local communities.
NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Bhupender Gupta said the project reflects the shared commitment of NHPC and the Arunachal Pradesh government to harness the state’s hydropower potential in an environmentally responsible and community-focused manner.
He added that the Etalin Hydroelectric Project is expected to deliver long-term socio-economic benefits, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to India’s renewable energy and energy security goals. Once commissioned, the project is expected to become the largest hydropower project in India.
During a separate Steering Committee meeting on hydropower development, Chief Minister Khandu reviewed the progress of ongoing projects being developed by Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of timely execution and directed stakeholders to address project delays and implementation challenges. He highlighted the state government’s focus on accelerating hydropower development and strengthening Arunachal Pradesh’s role in India’s clean energy transition.
The Etalin project is considered a key milestone in Arunachal Pradesh’s strategy to become a major contributor to India’s hydropower capacity and sustainable energy growth.
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