India approves $3.9 B hydropower project
India, Arunachal Pradesh: India has approved its largest hydropower project in the mountainous northeastern region near the border with China.
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India, Arunachal Pradesh: India has approved its largest hydropower project in the mountainous northeastern region near the border with China.
The Indian government has approved the investment of approximately $3.9 B into the 2,880 MW Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh. It is estimated the project will take nine years to complete. The project will be developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited.
India has classified hydropower as renewable energy and sees it as key in the transition from coal, and a solution to the fluctuations caused by an intermittent power supply from solar and wind. However, the extensive environmental damage and dislocation of communities that are unavoidable in constructing dams have hampered the plans.
The hydropower plant which will be built on over 5.000 ha of forest land will face similar risks, says Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator for the non-profit South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People. The company’s nine-year timeline is optimistic when accounting for potential delays because of local protests and geological difficulties, he says.
Source: Financial Post
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