State-run NHPC Limited has been tasked with building strategic hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh to counter China’s ambitious water diversion plan for upstream rivers flowing into the Brahmaputra. In an interview, NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Abhay Kumar Singh talked about the need to build hydropower projects to provide power storage capacity to facilitate India’s energy transition. He also spoke about the corporation’s projects in Nepal and Arunachal Pradesh. Edited part.
With the onset of monsoon, how has the hydropower potential performed?
Since this time snowfall and winter was good and summer came early, due to this the snow melted early and NHPC produced more during April-May than last year. During the summer this year, the hydropower was supported by good snowfall in the winter and early summer. Also, during June to September, hydropower remains at its peak. The full potential of hydroelectricity is generated and the requirement is also reduced due to rain, hence the consumption of coal is reduced. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop hydropower. Because solar works during the day, not at night, and solar may not have the efficiency that a hydro-storage plant can provide. Therefore, in order to achieve high efficiency of solar energy, pumped storage projects are essential. The life of pump storage is also more than 100 years, while the life of battery storage is not more than 15 years. Hydro is green, neat and clean. It ensures water security for the future and controls floods.
Given your strategic position, what are your focus on projects located in the North East?
The North East is important as it has four major basins- Subansiri, Lohit, Dibang and Siang. There is a study by the Central Water Commission, according to which a reservoir is required in each of these basins. And the day all these reservoirs are ready, the water level of the Brahmaputra at Pandu in Guwahati will drop by 1.8 to 2 meters during the peak floods. If you lower the water level by two metres, you will not get flooded. This is very important for flood control and saving lives. So we need to build a big reservoir in all the four valleys.
Also, China is building a dam on the Siang known as the Brahmaputra in the lower reaches. About 75% of the water comes from our catchment area because of vegetation, but if it (China) meets the dam and opens the gate, someday…
What is the status of Subansiri Project?
Very good progress has been made in Subansiri and we were thinking that we would commission the two machines in August 2022. We are trying now but it has been raining heavily since April. So, for some works related to dam outside and some structures, we are facing some difficulties in doing that work. The work is going very well. The total capacity of the project is 2,000 MW. In August, we had set a target of four units. Even if they are delayed due to these reasons, we will be able to complete four units by March 2023.
What are your current projects in Nepal?
We are doing some work in Nepal. For Paschim Seti (750 MW) and then for Futot Karnali (480 MW) we have an MoU in the final stages. We will do the MoU, then work on the feasibility report (FR), then make the project according to the liabilities. DPR (Detailed Project Report) will be followed by FR. The power-sharing agreement will be such that Nepal will have the first right to take power. If let’s say they don’t want to take power, and they have extra power, then we will give power to India and take it to Bangladesh.
What else are you doing in Nepal?
In Nepal, we have identified three sites at Karnali on Paschim Seti. They (Nepal government) said that work on Paschim Seti should start soon. The MoU has been drafted; Now the Government of Nepal is investigating it. Which is now almost in its final stages. Similarly, in respect of Footot Karnali, we have made, approved and sent MoU and discussion is going on on it. They want NHPC to develop all hydroelectric projects. Nepal has immense potential. It has a hydroelectric power capacity of 83,000 MW, of which 1,500 MW has been developed. So there is a lot of scope for development.
Apart from Upper Siang, have you taken up any other projects in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh?
We are working on Subansiri river. We are working on Middle Subansiri (1,800 MW) and Upper Subansiri (2,000 MW) projects. We are doing detailed desk study on them. The project was allotted to private companies. A task force has been created and we have hired a private consultant EY who is doing some consultancy work on cost and pricing.
What is the status of Dibang project?
We have acquired land in Dibang. It went for the approval of the Public Investment Board (PIB) and there were some questions. We are ready to give another package called Divergent Tunnel because we have to divert the river. It takes at least two to three years to complete the work of Divergent Tunnel. Only after its completion will we be able to start the dam work. Right now we are working on these projects in Arunachal Pradesh.