GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, July 15, announced an ambitious expansion of Assam's hydro power sector, stating that the state aims to increase its power generation capacity from the current 450 megawatts to 8,457 megawatts.
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Speaking in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma said the government will prioritise micro and small hydro power projects across the state as part of its plan to make Assam power surplus.
He said new small hydro projects will be developed on the Dhansiri, Piyain, Amning, Jenam, Luni, Bordikorai and Disang rivers, as well as at Angphai and Karbi Langpi. Together, these projects are expected to generate 137 megawatts of electricity.
The Chief Minister further said the government has allocated ₹77,000 crore to help Assam achieve power surplus status.
Recalling an earlier discussion in the Assembly, Sarma said Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi had questioned the government three years ago over the lack of small hydro projects. Referring to that exchange, the Chief Minister said the government has since focused on harnessing even small hydro potential, adding that projects would be taken up wherever there is scope to generate even 1 megawatt of electricity.
The announcement is being seen as part of the Assam government's broader push to strengthen the state's power infrastructure and move toward energy self-sufficiency through a mix of hydro, solar and thermal generation.