Guwahati, June 20: The huge hydro-electric power potential in the north-east remains untapped with only two per cent of the total capacity developed so far but the Centre has drawn out several projects to harness the undeveloped resources in the region.
According to reassessment studies carried out by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the identified hydro electric potential of the north east has been estimated at 58,971 mw but out of this, 1070 mw has been harnessed so far while 379 mw is under construction after investment approval and 2600 mw is in the process of capacity development. Arunachal Pradesh has the highest identified potential of 50,328 mw with only 416 mw developed so far though 2600 mw of power capacity is being developed and is under several stages of construction. Assam has developed 250 mw of its identified potential of 650 mw while Meghalaya and Manipur have developed 185 mw and 105 mw of its identified potential of 2394 mw and 1784 mw respectively.
The Union Power Ministry has identified the north east as a very attractive site for providing large storage with multi-purpose aspects of hydro power development.

Bureau Report