With the commissioning of 24 MW Dikshi Hydroelectric Project, Arunachal has got some new additions in its overall power capacity. Although the size of this project is small and would contribute nothing substantially towards the state’s gross power requirements, its significance lies somewhere else. The project has been completed within an enviable short period of time, but more significantly, it has been without hiccups since it got support of the local community, a feature which is rarely noticed in cases of behemoth power projects wherever they come up in the country. All these new ‘findings’ underscore the fact that Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects can be chosen as the new area of thrust for improving the overall energy scenario of any region of the country and more particularly in remote and inaccessible areas. Thus, in case of Arunachal Pradesh, judging all the technical and socio-political-economic realities, the idea of having SHP projects seems to be an emerging option to consider seriously.
In Indian power context, hydro projects up to 25 MW capacity are categorized as SHP projects and comes under purview of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and it has been estimated that total potential for power generation from these projects is about 20,000 MW. Estimates also suggest that a huge percentage of this potential is yet to be harnessed and that’s the driving point behind the extra emphasis, besides the other wholesome factors that augur well in the unique Indian context. It has been proved from various project-wise examples that small hydro projects normally do not encounter the problems of deforestation, resettlement and related issues, otherwise associated with large ones and for meeting power requirements of remote and isolated areas, SHP projects are fast emerging as frontline choices due to the sheer technical efficacies they entail. By conserving fossil fuels, it’s also environment friendly and with plants having long and useful life, generation cost is almost inflation free.
Time and again it has been reiterated by technical experts that Arunachal is a hydro-powerhouse with an estimated hydropower potential of more than 50,000 MW, but is currently having an installed generation capacity of not even a fraction of it. It is obvious that to accelerate state’s economic progress and social
& human welfare, power, of which hydropower and more specifically, SHP projects can be the real turning points. With collaboration of serious private players, as is observed in various other states too, hydropower has proved to be a real propeller in attaining economic aspirations. 
The triumvirate of agriculture, horticulture and industry in Arunachal can be blossomed to that desired extent, if self-sufficiency in power is reached. And for that SHP can be counted on as it has proved that ‘small’ can also be powerful.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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