NHPC to Develop 3097 MW Etalin Hydro Project in Arunachal Pradesh

In a significant leap for India's renewable energy ambitions, state-owned NHPC Limited has inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to develop the 3097 MW Etalin Hydroelectric Project (HEP). Signed on June 16, 2026, this colossal run-of-the-river initiative in the ecologically sensitive Dibang Basin is poised to become the nation's largest hydropower facility, generating an estimated 11,600 million units of clean energy annually and bolstering India's energy security. The Etalin HEP path has been anything but smooth, marked by over 15 years of fierce environmental and social opposition. Critics highlight the project's location in a global biodiversity hotspot, warning of the diversion of 1,165 hectares of forest land and the felling of nearly 2.8 lakh trees, potentially impacting indigenous communities like the Idu Mishmi. While the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) previously stalled forest clearances, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended environmental clearance in July 2025, reflecting a determined push by the state government to harness its vast hydropower potential under a ~₹30,000 crore investment plan for the project. NHPC will execute the project on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a 40-year lease, undertaking preliminary and detailed investigations crucial for the Detailed Project Report (DPR). This renewed momentum underscores Arunachal Pradesh 'Decade of Hydropower' vision and Chief Minister Pema Khandu's firm directive of 'no delays, no excuses' for such strategically vital projects. The coming months will test the project's ability to navigate persistent ecological concerns and ensure equitable benefits for local populations, as this mega-dam moves from agreement to implementation.