The Arunachal Pradesh government has signed a deal with Greenko Demwe Power Ltd for developing the Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project of 1,750 MW capacity on the Lohit River, which is said to be among the biggest hydroelectricity projects to be set up in the Indian state.

As per reports, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed between the government of Arunachal Pradesh and Greenko Demwe Power Ltd for implementing the project on BOOT terms. This project will come up in the Parashuram Kund and Brahma Kund area of Lohit district.

This project will reportedly consist of five generating units with 342 MW capacity each and one more generating unit with 40 MW capacity, thereby making its total installed capacity reach up to 1,750 MW. This hydroelectric project is estimated to produce around 7,326 million units of electricity every year.

The signing of this agreement comes at a time when India is expanding its efforts in generating hydropower due to increasing demand for electricity and building its non-fossil fuel power capacity. Arunachal Pradesh, being among the most resourceful states in hydropower potential, is a focus area.

According to officials, the proposed Demwe Lower project is one component of the Centre's strategy towards expanding its hydropower infrastructure. In recent years, several agreements have been signed by the state government for hydropower projects in various river basins in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to documents for the project, the infrastructure will comprise a concrete gravity dam that stands at 163.12 meters in height and a length of 474.35 meters at the crest level. Reservoirs will be able to store 516.38 million cubic meters of water, which will cover an area of 1,131 hectares.

The hydropower plant will consist of six diversion tunnels, underground pressure shafts, and a surface powerhouse situated on the right bank of the Lohit River. Vertical Francis Turbines will generate power from the facility.

According to state officials, employment opportunities will be created during construction. Infrastructure facilities are also expected to develop around the project.

Hydropower plants in the northeast continue to be key players in India's renewable energy strategy due to the vast river networks and immense energy production potential in the area. However, many hydropower plants have come under attack for their adverse effects on the environment and land, as well as opposition from the community.

The Demwe Lower Hydropower Plant is one of the largest hydropower plant projects envisaged in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.