DELHI: The Public Investment Board (PIB) has given the green light for the ambitious Kamala hydropower project, entailing an expenditure of ₹26,069.50 crore. Located in Arunachal Pradesh, this project is designed to generate 1,720 megawatts (MW) of power, producing an estimated 6,869.92 million units of green energy each year. This initiative will bolster the Government of India's energy transition efforts and support its Net Zero emissions target by 2070.

Envisioned on the Kamala River, a key tributary of the Subansiri River, the hydroelectric facility will include a 216-meter high concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse, with a completion timeline set at eight years. Beyond merely producing electricity, the Kamala project aims to alleviate flooding in the Brahmaputra valley, reflecting a dual-purpose approach that aligns energy production with environmental safety.

The project will be executed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis, engineered as a joint venture where NHPC holds a 74% stake and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) retains 26%. The financing structure is built on a debt-equity ratio of 70:30, incorporating ₹1,340 crore in infrastructure support and additional flood management costs from the Government of India.

Apart from supporting the local economy through an anticipated ₹486 crore in annual free power benefits and local development funds, the project is expected to create around 2,800 jobs—300 direct and approximately 2,500 contract positions during peak construction. The state government projects to gain an estimated ₹127 crore in returns from its financial contribution.

This significant investment not only promises a boost to renewable energy generation but also heralds substantial socioeconomic advancements within the region, making it a crucial milestone for Arunachal Pradesh's development trajectory.