HYDRO POWER DIVISION
Historical Background
Arunachal Pradesh is bestowed with hilly terrain and there is abundant rainfall and thus has vast potential for harnessing power from the rivers and their tributaries for developing hydroelectric power by construction of mega, small, mini and micro power projects. The Hydro power potential estimated in the State from the mega hydro electric projects is around 58676.40 MW and an additional 2000 MW hydro power potential is assessed from micro/mini/small hydro electric projects.
Power Scenario in the State
Notwithstanding above, the present power scenario in the State is far from bright. The State is largely dependent on the power from 114 micro/mini/small hydro power stations with installed capacity of 61.965 MW as of now, besides supplement from the DG sets, solar photovoltaic, biomass, wind power plant and Central sector power. The cost of generation from DG sets is cost prohibitive and high priced; therefore, it is being gradually phased out. However, the firm generation from the Micro/Mini/Small HE station is only in the order of about 26.30 MW at present. The State is still having shortfall in power supply of more than 100.00 MW and the present average energy per capita in the State is only 300 units which is far below the National Average of about 704 units, besides far-flung villages along the international boarder are reeling under darkness thereby are being deprived from the essential services. Against the present estimated demand of about 180 MW, power available is only 120 MW from all sources including hydro power stations, DG sets, solar photovoltaic, biomass, wind power plant in the State and the power shortfall is being imported from the central sector.
Ideal Vision
In the recent, past hydro electric power from Micro/Mini/Small hydro projects has received great deal of attention from many point of view, one, as a sizeable and easily useable source of renewable energy and secondly, as a moderate investment method for providing electricity to under developed and remote areas – Electricity is most convenient form of energy, which is utilized for lighting and industrial production. Generation of electricity through small hydro electric schemes and its consumption does not pollute the environment and is eco-friendly, therefore, can play important role for protection of the environment and maintenance of ecological balance, especially for isolated areas. Conventional and non-renewable sources of energy as compared to today’s energy demand and its limited resource, renewable sources of energy from hydro power are sufficiently abundant in the state, maximum investment and venture out speculation attention needs in the development planning in this area. As such, the State Govt. Has entrusted Department of Hydro Power Development for implementation/execution, operation and maintenance of hydro power stations in the state.
Existing hydel in Lohit District
There are 2 (two) existing Mini Micro hydel stations in Lohit District namely Tafragam MHS (1×250 kw) and Doorah Nallah MHS (4×100 kw) in the periphery of Tezu, which was commissioned way back 1984 and 1975-76 respectively. These two hydel stations is main source of power supply to the Lohit District headquarter Tezu in additional to central power sector. The Tezu being the District Headquarter of Lohit District has very important government establishment such as Government offices, Hospital, School, Police station and Banks etc. Also this place is being the international and domestic tourist hot spot in Arunachal Pradesh which continuous power supply is necessary.
Since its commission machines are running continuous thereby caused over all wear and tear and damages to its essential parts. Moreover machines have outlived its normal operational period and require its repair and overhauling for maintaining its required efficiency.
