NHPC signs MoA for 3,097 MW Etalin hydro project in Arunachal Pradesh
NHPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh on June 16, 2026, for implementation of the 3,097 MW Etalin Hydro Electric Project (HEP). The project will be developed on the Dri and Tangon rivers in the Dibang Basin of Arunachal Pradesh.
MoA provisions
Under the agreement, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has granted permission to NHPC to undertake preliminary investigations for preparation of the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), detailed investigations for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), financing, development, commissioning, implementation, operation and maintenance of the project.
The project will be implemented by NHPC on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a lease period of 40 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD).
The MoA states that the project will be developed as a run-of-the-river scheme in accordance with the Arunachal Pradesh Hydro Power Policy, 2008, and subsequent amendments.
With an installed capacity of 3,097 MW, it is among the largest proposed hydropower projects in the North-East region. NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Bhupender Gupta said the project is intended to harness Arunachal Pradesh’s hydropower potential while supporting clean energy generation and regional development.
Previous developments
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) approved the DPRs for the project in November 2023.
In October 2024, R.S. Envirolink Technologies Private Limited secured a Rs 3.2 million consultancy contract for conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and preparing the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project.
The project was subsequently reassigned to NHPC, with assets worth Rs 737 crore classified as held for sale.
Photo credit: NHPC/X
