Commissioning of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project: A Step Towards India's Energy Goals
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Geography (River Systems - Subansiri, Brahmaputra; Major Hydroelectric Projects; Locations - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam); Indian Economy (Energy, Infrastructure, NHPC); Environment (Dams, Anti-dam protests, Environmental Impact).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Geography): Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features; Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy/Infrastructure): Infrastructure: Energy.
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment (related to dams).
General Studies Paper 3 (Security): Security challenges and their management in border areas (related to development in the Northeast).
Key Highlights from the News
India’s largest hydropower project (Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project) (2,000 MW), has commenced trial operations.
The project's first unit of 250 MW has begun "wet commissioning" (trial run using water, without generating electricity).
The project is located at Gerukamukh, on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam boundary.
The public sector undertaking NHPC Ltd. is implementing this project.
The project, which began in 2005, was halted in 2011 due to protests against the dam (anti-dam activists) in Assam and downstream environmental impacts.
Construction resumed in 2019 with improved safety measures.
This project is considered a major step towards India's goal of a "self-reliant energy future".
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