● Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has performed bhoomi pujan for Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd’s (APGCL) 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project at Longku, Dima Hasao today.
The Kopili Hydro Electric Project is to be completed at a cost of Rs 2200 crore, out of which Rs 1700 crore was sanctioned by the Union Government.
In December 2020, the Government of India signed a $231 million loan to boost electricity generation capacity in the state of Assam through construction of a 120 megawatt (MW) hydroelectric power plant that will enhance availability of electricity for households.
This run-of-the-river project over Kopili river will help increase electricity supplied from clean energy by 469 gigawatthour (GWh) by 2025 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 360,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
This project, to be completed by 2024, will add to Assam’s power generation capacity from clean hydroelectric source and improve electricity availability. Affordable and clean electricity generated through the project will greatly improve quality of living, promote businesses and increase employment opportunities in the State.
“The project will increase electricity supply from clean energy by 469 GWh by 2025 & reduce greenhouse gas emission by 360K tons annually,” said Dr. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Grateful to PM Sri Narendra Modi for helping Assam with ambitious externally aided projects,” Sarma added further.
CM Sarma also urged L&T to complete the project strictly within its schedule of June 2024.
Later in the day, Nirmala Sitharaman will launch a web portal under Assam Right to Public Service Act, 2012 at a function in Guwahati.
