Archive · 30 Nov 2025
Assam Faces Power Deficit and Rising Debt
Assam is having a hard time keeping up with its electricity needs.
The state is using a lot of money to buy extra power because it doesn't make enough on its own.
At the same time, Assam's debt has gone up a lot, which means the government has to be careful with its spending.
They are planning to build new power plants to make more electricity and reduce the need to buy power from others.
The government also needs to find ways to make more money and manage its debt better to avoid problems in the future.
Assam's power deficit is significant, with a daily expenditure of Rs 19 crore on purchasing electricity.
The state's own power generation is only 289-315 MW during peak hours, far below the demand of 2,842 MW.
Assam's debt has increased by 103.34% from 2019-20 to 2023-24, with a debt-GSDP ratio of 25.77%.
The government is planning new power projects, including the 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro and 24 MW Karbi Langpi Middle-II Hydro.
The CAG report recommends prudent debt management and increased revenue mobilization to address fiscal risks.
- Who
- Assam government and its power departments (APGCL, APDCL, AEGCL)
- What
- Assam is facing a significant power deficit and rising debt
- When
- Current situation and future projections up to 2035
- Where
- Assam, India
- Why
- Increasing power demand and reliance on borrowings for fiscal management
- Power Deficit
- Assam's peak-hour demand is 2,842 MW, but own generation is only 289-315 MW.
- Daily Power Purchase Cost
- Rs 19 crore per day
- Debt Increase
- 103.34% from 2019-20 to 2023-24
- Debt-GSDP Ratio
- 25.77% in 2023-24
- Fiscal Deficit
- 3.56% to 6.31% of GSDP during 2019-24
- Debt Repayment
- 99.32% of debt to be repaid in the next ten years
- Power Projects
- 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro and 24 MW Karbi Langpi Middle-II Hydro under development
- Proposed Power Projects
- 3,200 MW coal-based thermal and 1,000 MW pumped-storage projects
