Kopili hydroelectric project, Assam: Centre & ADB signs loan agreement

Dima Hasao (Assam): The Centre and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a loan of USD 231 million for the construction of 120 megawatts (MW) run-of-the-river hydroelectric project over Assam's Kopili river. The hydropower project on the Kopili river and Umrong stream, its tributary, is located in Assam's Dima Hasao district. It is scheduled to be commissioned by the year 2025.  

Under the ongoing Assam Power Sector Investment Programme, this is the third loan to be approved by the ADB Board in July 2014. The Assam Power Sector Investment Programme, and its two previous tranches, emphasises on enhancing the capacity as well as the efficiency of the energy generation and distribution systems in Assam, which will further improve the electricity service to end-users.

The agreement was signed by CS Mohapatra, the Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, and Hoe Yun Jeong, the Officer-in-Charge of ADB's India Resident Mission.

The hydroelectric project, which is recently proposed, will help in increasing the electricity supplied from clean energy by 469 gigawatt-hour (GWh) by 2025 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 360,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

A part of the loan will be used for project capacity building of the Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL) on construction, operation and maintenance.

This project will also finance the enterprise resource planning system of APGCL. The project will contribute to improving gender equity by increasing the gender capacity of the APGCL. It will also improve the participation of women, and further contribute to training and community-led interventions.

The additional secretary, Mohapatra, said after signing the loan agreement that this project will add to the state's power generation capacity from clean hydroelectric source and also, improve the availability of electricity.

On the other hand, Officer-in-Charge of ADB's India Resident Mission, Jeong said, "Increased supply of affordable and clean electricity facilitated through the project will help improve living conditions, promote business expansion, and increase employment opportunities in the State, besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

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