Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein attended the Power Ministers’ Conference held in New Delhi, where he represented the state’s progress and initiatives in the energy sector. The conference, chaired by Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, was also attended by Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power, New & Renewable Energy, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Power and MNRE. Discussions focused on advancing India’s energy goals and supporting states’ efforts to meet increasing energy demands sustainably.
During his address, Mein emphasized Arunachal Pradesh’s strides in improving the financial health of its Distribution Companies (DISCOMs), reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, and enhancing smart metering under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). He highlighted Arunachal’s significant hydropower potential, with an estimated capacity of 58,000 MW, underscoring major projects like Subansiri (2,000 MW) and Dibang (2,880 MW) that contribute to both state and national energy growth.
Looking forward, Deputy CM Mein projected a 4.98% increase in Arunachal Pradesh’s energy demand for the fiscal year 2024-25, with plans to add 634 MW of new capacity. To achieve this, he requested central assistance for upgrading transmission infrastructure and sought support for Pumped Storage Projects. He also advocated for the inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh in the Green Energy Corridor, a central initiative designed to meet India’s renewable energy goal of 500 GW by 2030.
Mein stressed the importance of renewable energy for rural electrification and highlighted efforts under the state’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy to establish EV charging infrastructure. These measures, he noted, will improve energy access and enhance the quality of life for remote communities, while advancing a sustainable future aligned with India’s green energy vision.
In his concluding remarks, Mein reiterated Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to overcoming challenges and contributing to India’s mission for sustainable energy growth.
Deputy CM Mein was accompanied by R.K. Sharma, Secretary (Power), and Ginko Lingi, Chief Engineer cum Nodal Officer of RDSS & Member Secretary of APDA. (pr)