The Assam government has unveiled a Rs 77,353 crore investment roadmap aimed at transforming the state into the green energy hub of the Northeast and achieving energy self-sufficiency through a major expansion of power generation and transmission infrastructure.
Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the government plans to increase Assam’s power generation capacity from the present 450 MW to 8,457 MW by developing a mix of hydroelectric, solar, thermal and energy storage projects, with the objective of making the state power-surplus.
Highlighting the state’s long-term vision, Mallabaruah said Assam is committed to unlocking its renewable energy potential, drawing parallels with neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, which has been rapidly expanding its hydropower sector.
Pumped storage power has emerged as a key component of the strategy, with four projects having a combined capacity of 4,900 MW already approved. The projects are expected to attract private investment of nearly Rs 27,100 crore and play a crucial role in supporting the integration of renewable energy into the grid.
The state’s hydropower sector is also witnessing significant progress. The 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project has entered the trial commissioning phase and is currently supplying about 55 MW to the grid. The project is expected to be fully commissioned later this month.
In addition to renewable energy initiatives, the government has proposed setting up a 3,200 MW thermal power plant at Bilasipara at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore. Another 11 hydropower projects, with a combined capacity of 137.2 MW and an estimated investment of Rs 2,617 crore, are at different stages of planning and implementation.
To support the planned increase in electricity generation, the government intends to upgrade the state’s transmission infrastructure over the next five years by laying 15,000 circuit kilometres of transmission and distribution lines, constructing 120 substations and installing 20,000 high-voltage distribution transformers.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the investment exceeding Rs 77,000 crore would enable the generation of more than 8,000 MW of electricity and provide a strong foundation for Assam’s future economic growth and development.
