Madhya Pradesh Secures 252 MW from NHPC’s Arunachal Project

Madhya Pradesh signed an MoU with NHPC on June 25, 2025, to receive 252 MW from a hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh. The agreement supports India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030, enhancing energy security.

The MoU allocates 252 MW from NHPC’s 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, costing Rs 20,000 crore. The project, 90% complete, will generate 7,500 GWh annually, powering 1.5 million homes. Madhya Pradesh, with 5 GW renewable capacity, faces 10% power shortages, making this critical for industrial growth.

India’s 10 GW hydro capacity, part of 159.5 GW renewables, relies on projects like Subansiri, but 20% face delays due to land and regulatory issues. The 2025 Budget’s $2 billion for hydro supports expansion, but 80% import reliance for turbines raises costs by 15%. Arunachal’s 50 GW hydro potential, with 5 kWh/m²/day irradiation, suits hybrid solar-hydro systems, cutting emissions by 1 million tonnes annually.

Challenges include 5% ecosystem disruption, requiring $50 million in mitigation, and 10% grid curtailment. Assam’s 1 GW hydro projects, using AI-based grid management, offer a model, achieving 90% uptime. The MoU creates 1,000 jobs and supports Madhya Pradesh’s 7% GDP growth. Posts on X highlight regional power benefits, though some note environmental concerns.

Global benchmarks, like Norway’s 30 GW hydro capacity, show integrated water-energy planning. Scaling requires $100 billion and 20,000 skilled workers by 2030, per IRENA.

Conclusion

Madhya Pradesh’s 252 MW from NHPC’s Arunachal project bolsters energy security. Addressing environmental and grid challenges is key to India’s hydro expansion.

Source: Outlook Business