Hydropower Policy 2007 & 2008

Policy Overview

Arunachal Pradesh's comprehensive hydropower policies provide the regulatory framework for sustainable development of the state's vast hydropower potential (approximately 48,000 MW).

Policy 2007 - Foundation

The original Hydropower Policy 2007 established the foundational framework for modern hydropower development, incorporating:

• Strategic development objectives
• Environmental and social safeguards
• Community benefit mechanisms
• Transparent project allocation procedures
• Performance monitoring and compliance frameworks

Policy 2008 & 2017 Amendment - Enhancement

Building on the 2007 foundation, the 2008 policy introduced:

• Technical refinements
• Modern environmental practices
• Improved approval procedures
• Enhanced community participation
• Adoption of international standards

The 2017 amendment further updated the framework with:

• Contemporary environmental management practices
• Climate change adaptation measures
• Technology advancement considerations
• Lessons learned from project implementation
• Streamlined approval timelines

Policy Scope

Coverage

The policies apply to all hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh including:

• Run-of-river projects
• Storage/Reservoir projects
• Pumped storage projects
• Small hydropower projects
• Mini hydropower projects

Project Categories

Large Projects: > 25 MW capacity Small Projects: 1-25 MW capacity Mini Projects: < 1 MW capacity

Key Policy Components

1. Project Identification and Selection

Basin Study Requirement: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) conducts comprehensive basin studies identifying:

• Viable hydropower projects
• Technical feasibility
• Environmental sensitivity
• Social impact zones
• Development priorities

Process:

• Basin studies prepared by MoEF&CC
• Project screening based on environmental attributes
• Inter-ministerial coordination
• Final project list approval

Identification Outcomes: