Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Arunachal Sees Hydropower as Major Investment Opportunity
Arunachal Pradesh has many water-power projects planned.
The state says these projects could bring it electricity, money and jobs.
The government may also own part of some projects.
One proposed project, called Siang Upper, is still being studied.
Experts will first check whether it can be built safely and properly.
If they say it cannot be built, the project will not move forward.
If it passes that check, more studies and discussions with local people must happen.
The government says communities should be heard before decisions are made.
Hydropower can also help provide electricity when solar and wind power are not producing as much.
Arunachal Pradesh has about 19,000 MW of hydropower projects planned or under development.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the state receives 12% of project power free and could hold a 26% equity stake, with central support for a potential contribution of about Rs 15,000 crore.
The 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri project is expected to be fully commissioned next year and would provide free power and equity-related returns.
Khandu said the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project must first pass a preliminary feasibility assessment; if experts find it unbuildable, the process will stop.
If feasible, the Siang project would require social and environmental impact assessments, a detailed project report, and public consultation; its estimated investment is Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Rs 2 lakh crore.
- Who
- Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the state government, project developers and affected communities.
- What
- The state is promoting hydropower investment while requiring feasibility studies and public consultation before deciding whether the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project should proceed.
- When
- Khandu made the remarks at events in Pasighat and Boleng; the Siang project's preliminary feasibility report is expected to take about three months, covering November, December and January.
- Where
- Arunachal Pradesh, including the Siang basin and East Siang district.
- Why
- The state says hydropower could provide revenue, free electricity, equity returns and jobs, while the proposed Siang project is also presented as a way to manage water-related risks in a border region.
Case for hydropower development
Conditions and concerns
Economic and energy benefits
Case for hydropower development
Khandu and energy analyst Dhaval Popat described hydropower as a source of state revenue, free power, equity returns, jobs and flexible electricity that can help balance the grid.
Conditions and concerns
Popat noted that regulated returns limit sustained margin expansion, with earnings growth mainly dependent on adding and commissioning capacity.
Siang Upper project
Case for hydropower development
Khandu said the proposed project could support water-flow management, address flood-related risks and have strategic significance in a border region.
Conditions and concerns
Khandu said construction must not proceed until technical and legal processes are completed, and that expert findings or public consultations could stop the project.
Local participation
Case for hydropower development
The government says it will hold consultations, explain the project and involve affected villages in discussions about relocation.
Conditions and concerns
The article describes public debate and concerns around the proposal; Khandu said affected communities must be consulted and landowners compensated under applicable rules.
- Hydropower pipeline
- About 19,000 MW of capacity is planned or under development in Arunachal Pradesh.
- State's free-power share
- 12% of electricity generated by projects located in the state.
- Potential state equity
- A 26% equity share, with the contribution estimated at around Rs 15,000 crore and central support indicated.
- Lower Subansiri project
- A 2,000 MW project expected to be fully commissioned next year.
- Siang project investment estimate
- Initially around Rs 1.5 lakh crore, potentially rising to Rs 2 lakh crore.
- Siang project review
- The preliminary feasibility report is expected to take about three months; later steps, if feasible, include SIA, EIA and a detailed project report.
- Analyst's operating estimates
- Regulated return on equity of 15.5–17%, asset lives of 35–40 years and EBITDA margins of 50–60%.