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:

Kameng Basin: 29 HEPs, 1,282.70 MW (Study: April 2015)
Subansiri Basin: 29 HEPs, 11,282.70 MW (Study: April 2016)
Subansiri Dikrong: 27 HEPs, 1,116.5 MW (Study: April 2018)
Siang Basin: 44 HEPs, 18,293 MW (Study: March 2015)
Dibang, Lohit, Tawang Basins: Studies ongoing

2. Concession and Project Allocation

Selection Process:

Open competitive bidding for concessions
Technical and financial bids evaluation
Transparency in developer selection
Concession agreement execution

Allocation Criteria:

Developer technical capability
Financial capacity
Environmental and social commitment
Project completion timeline
Community benefit proposals
Technology adoption plans

Concession Period: Generally 30-40 years post-commissioning

3. Environmental Management

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):

Comprehensive EIA by qualified consultants
Public consultation and hearing
Ministry of Environment clearance

Forest Clearance:

Forest Conservation Act compliance
Afforestation plan
Habitat protection measures
Forest Department approval

Environmental Compliance During Construction:

Construction Environmental Management Plan
Air and water quality monitoring
Waste management and disposal
Noise and vibration control
Restoration of construction sites

Environmental Management During Operation:

Continued monitoring protocols
Environmental audit procedures
Remedial action mechanisms
Community environmental grievance redressal

Post-Project Environmental Restoration:

Complete restoration of project areas
Biodiversity rehabilitation
Watershed management
Community environmental benefits

4. Social and Rehabilitation Provisions

Social Impact Assessment (SIA):

Comprehensive SIA preparation
Community consultation
Vulnerability assessment
Mitigation strategy development

Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R):

Coverage under RFCTLARR Act 2013
Comprehensive R&R planning
Fair compensation for land
Livelihood restoration programs
Housing in resettlement colonies
Loss of livelihood compensation

Community Participation:

Public hearings and consultations
Community committees
Women's participation mechanisms
Tribal leadership engagement
Regular community briefings

5. Local Area Development Fund (LADF)

Fund Allocation: 2% of project cost allocated to local area development

Fund Management:

LADF committee with community representation
Community identification of development priorities
Project selection and approval
Implementation monitoring
Third-party verification

Eligible Development Areas:

Educational institutions (schools, colleges)
Health facilities (clinics, hospitals)
Water supply and sanitation
Roads and transportation
Community centers and buildings
Skill development centers
Livelihood support programs
Environmental restoration

Community Benefits Achieved:

Enhanced education and health services
Improved infrastructure
Employment opportunities
Skill development
Environmental improvement
Social cohesion

6. Monitoring and Compliance

State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC):

Project-specific oversight
Environmental compliance monitoring
Social benefit delivery tracking
Grievance resolution
Regular site inspections

Monitoring Parameters:

Project development progress
Financial performance
Environmental compliance status
Social benefit delivery
Community satisfaction levels
Grievance redressal effectiveness

Compliance Reports:

Quarterly progress reports
Annual compliance certifications
Independent environmental audits
Social audit reports
LADF utilization reports

7. Dispute Resolution

Mechanisms:

Administrative grievance redressal
Arbitration procedures
Conciliation provisions
Legal framework for disputes
Transparent adjudication process

Jurisdiction:

State level first instance
Central Ministry appellate review
Arbitration for contractual disputes

Policy Implementation Status

Current Portfolio

Completed Projects: 8 (6,055.5 MW)
Under Construction: 8
Under Implementation: 96 (various clearance stages)
Total: 112 projects (~47,993.5 MW)

Development Progress

Policy provides successful framework
Regular updates maintaining relevance
Lessons incorporated in amendments
Community benefits demonstrable
Environmental standards maintained

Policy Download

Download Hydropower Policy 2007 (PDF)

Download Hydropower Policy 2008 Amendment 2017 (PDF)

Contact for Policy Inquiries

Commissioner, DHPD Email: commrdhpd.arn@gmail.com Phone: 8731931119 (PIO)

Civil Secretariat, Itanagar - 791111

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