CCI may soon take up NHPC's power project for clearance

The Cabinet Committee on Investment is expected to soon take up state-owned NHPC's Dibang hydro-electric power project in Arunachal Pradesh that has been long stuck due to delayed environment clearance.

The Power Ministry has sought CCI intervention on the issue and it is likely to be taken up soon, sources said.

The 3,000 MW Dibang hydro project in Arunachal Pradesh has been stalled for a long time in the absence of environment and forest go-ahead.

CCI, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, aims to fast-track major projects and help boost investor sentiment.

"Dibang project will go to CCI. Power Ministry is also likely to seek CCI intervention on numerous projects in the future based on the amount of investment involved. The higher investment projects will be referred first," said a source.

The project was originally scheduled for commission by 2017 but delays in clearances will push it back by a couple of years, sources said.

This delay will also lead to cost escalation but the amount could not be ascertained.

Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier said that as many as 94 hydro power projects are languishing due to tardy progress at various levels in granting them clearances.

Once approved, they can generate 37,000 MW electricity.

Hydro power contributes 39,623 MW of the total 2,25,793 MW capacity in the country.

Sources further said that the ministry may also approach CCI for other hydel projects.

NHPC has an installation base of 5,702 MW from 17 hydropower stations on ownership basis including projects taken up through joint ventures.

The company is constructing 7 projects aggregating to a total installed capacity of 4,095 MW. It plans to add over 10,000 MW of hydropower capacity by the end of XIII plan (year 2022).