The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a loan of US Dollar 231 million with the Centre for the construction of the 120 Megawatts (MW) run-of-the-river Hydroelectric project over Kopili river in Assam.
The project on the river and Umrong stream is located in Dima Hasao district, Assam and is scheduled to be commissioned by 2025. The project is under the ongoing Assam Power Sector Investment Programme and the loan is the third loan approved by the ADB Board in July 2014.
The investment programme emphasizes on enhancing the capacity as well as the efficiency of the energy generation and distribution systems of Assam for further improving the electricity services.
Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affair (Ministry of Finance), CS Mohapatra and Officer-in-Charge of ADB (India Resident Mission), Hoe Yun Jeong signed the agreement.
The proposed hydroelectric project will help increase the capacity and efficiency of electricity supplied from clean energy by 469 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) by 2025. It will further reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by 360,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year.
Officer-in-charge of ADB after the signing of the agreement said that the project will help in improving the living condition, expand the business and increase employment opportunities in Assam.
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