Assam bets big on green power with over ₹77,000-cr investment pipeline

Guwahati: The Assam budget for 2026-27 has unveiled its most ambitious power sector expansion plan yet, lining up investments worth over Rs 77,000 crore across hydroelectric, thermal, solar, battery storage and transmission infrastructure to become power-surplus for the first time in its history and the green energy hub of northeast .The investment pipeline covers generation projects with a combined capacity of more than 8,400 MW, along with major transmission upgrades designed to evacuate and distribute the additional power.Finance minister Jayanta Mallahbaruah in his budget speech said, “…our neighbour Arunachal Pradesh is making rapid strides in harnessing its vast hydropower potential. Assam too is richly endowed with green energy, and we are determined to realise this potential to the fullest.”“Assam’s power sector is entering a transformational phase, with investments of over Rs 77,353 crore planned across hydro, solar, thermal and energy storage projects — the largest such investment pipeline in the state’s history,” the finance minister said.He added, “This ambitious programme will be financed through a combination of the state’s own resources, centrally sponsored schemes, externally aided projects and public-private partnerships.”

A key milestone has already been achieved with the 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project, which has entered the trial commissioning stage and is supplying electricity to the grid. The project is expected to be fully commissioned later this month.The plans include a 3,200 MW Adani thermal power at Bilasipara with an estimated investment of Rs 4,000 crore, besides 11 new small hydropower projects spread across Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Udalguri, Biswanath and Sivasagar districts.Renewable energy will form the centrepiece of the state’s future power strategy. Four pumped storage projects with a combined capacity of 4,900 MW have been approved, enabling large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid. Solar generation will also be expanded through new projects in Sonitpur and Dibrugarh, while a battery energy storage system is planned in Kamrup to improve grid stability.To support the expansion, Assam plans to strengthen its transmission and distribution network over the next five years by adding 15,000 circuit kilometres of power lines, establishing 120 substations and installing 20,000 high-voltage distribution transformers.The govt said transmission and distribution losses have already been brought down to 13.4%, below the national average, and has set a target of reducing losses further to 8% over the next few years.