Kopili hydel project to reduce carbon emissions by 360,000 tonnes

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $ 231-million (around Rs 1,687 crore) loan agreement to augment electricity generation in Assam through the construction of a 120-MW hydroelectric power plant that will enhance availability of electricity for households.

The proposed hydroelectric project is run-of-the-river one over the Kopili River which will help increase electricity supplied from clean energy by 469 gigawatthour (GWh) by 2025 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 360,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

This is the third tranche loan for the ongoing Assam Power Sector Investment Programme that was approved by the ADB Board in July 2014. The programme, including its two previous tranches, focuses on enhancing capacity and efficiency of the energy generation and distribution systems in Assam to improve electricity service to end users.

The signatories to the loan agreement were Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance who signed for the Government of India; and Hoe Yun Jeong, Officer-in-Charge of ADB's India Resident Mission, who signed for the ADB.

After signing the loan agreement, Dr Mohapatra stated that the project will add to Assam's power generation capacity from clean hydroelectric source and improve electricity availability.

"Increased supply of affordable and clean electricity facilitated through the project will help improve living conditions, promote business expansion, and increase employment opportunities in the State, besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Jeong.

A $ 2 million grant from Japan fund for poverty reduction (JFPR) is also associated with the project to finance equipment and consulting services to improve capacity for resource management and community resilience.

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