How India is Eyeing $6.4 Trillion Hydropower Project From 12 Brahmaputra Basins? Govt Unveils Master Plan 2047

New Delhi: In order to meet the rising power demands, ensure long-term energy security, and facilitate the systematic development and evacuation of power from the country’s hydro potential, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has prepared a Master Plan 2047 for evacuation of power from hydroelectric plants in the Brahmaputra Basin.As part of this master plan, it intends to develop 76 Gigawatts (GW) of hydroelectric capacity at an expense of 6.7 trillion — $77 billion.The CEA, in its report on Monday, mentioned that it has identified projects within the Brahmaputra Basin and felt the need for a comprehensive transmission system plan for evacuation of power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrTRCFXubt42047 Masterplan To Tap Brahmaputra Basins Unlock Potential A transmission system master plan has been formulated for the evacuation of 65 GW of hydroelectric generation capacity from 12 sub-basins of the Brahmaputra Basin.The CEA report lauded the efforts of Bhagwan Sa Hay Bairwa, Chief Engineer (PSPAII Division), and his dedicated team of officers for the formulation of the master plan.The report said that India is richly endowed with substantial, economically viable hydroelectric potential.The first systematic assessment of this potential was carried out by the erstwhile Central Water & Power Commission (CW&PC) between 1953 and 1959. Related News | 1962 Indo-China War And Cuban Missile Crisis – The Overlooked FrontAccording to that survey, the country’s hydroelectric potential was estimated at approximately 42 million kW, based on about 250 identified projects.Later, from 1978–1987, the CEA reassessed India’s hydro potential at approximately 149 GW, with 592 large projects across major river basins contributing 145 GW.To further support the systematic development of this potential, the CEA undertook another study titled “Reassessment of Hydroelectric Potential in the Country,” which culminated in a report published in November 2022. Related News | China's Brahmaputra Bet: The Dam Project That's Stirring Border Tensions And Water War FearsPreviously, in 2011, the CEA developed a master plan for the evacuation of power from hydro projects in Arunachal Pradesh.Subsequently, the Ministry of Power (MoP), through an order dated 22.12.2021, issued basin-wise identification of hydro projects (above 25 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh.Given the vast hydro potential to the tune of 65 GW in 12 sub-basins of the Brahmaputra Basin, the need for a comprehensive transmission system to evacuate power from these hydroelectric projects became critical.In response, a Master Plan for Evacuation of Power from Hydroelectric Plants in the Brahmaputra Basin has been developed.The plan proposes the development of 10 thousand ckm of transmission lines, 30 GVA of transformation capacity, and 12 GW of HVDC by the year 2035. Related News | 'Tariffs Are Pushing…': 19 US Lawmakers Ask Donald Trump to Restore Ties with India2047 Hyropower Masterplan Divided into Two PhasesFurther, the master plan has been divided into two timeframes: one up to 2035 and another beyond 2035.