ITANAGAR, 9 Apr: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said that the upgraded Kitpi Mini Hydel Project in Tawang will ensure a more reliable electricity supply for the region while reducing dependence on other power sources, as he dedicated the re-rated project to the people of the border district.
The chief minister formally dedicated the project (Phase-I) at Kitpi village on the Nametrong River in the presence of deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, MLAs Tsering Lhamu and Namgey Tsering, along with other dignitaries.
In a social media post, Khandu said the project has been upgraded from 3×500 KW to 2×750 KW, significantly improving its efficiency and generation capacity through better optimisation of resources.
Located at Kitpi village, the hydropower facility generates electricity using the natural flow of water from the Nametrong River.
According to the chief minister, the re-rating of the project will not only increase power generation but will also promote the use of clean and renewable energy in the region.
He observed that the improvement in generation capacity is expected to strengthen power supply in Tawang and help meet the growing energy demands of the district.
Mein, who joined Khandu during the inauguration, later said in a social media post that the project was originally commissioned in 1977 and has now undergone a significant upgrade to enhance its operational efficiency.
“With a sanctioned cost of Rs. 1,526.78 lakh, the project is expected to benefit around 1,250 households, covering a population of nearly 4,700 people,” Mein, who also holds the power and hydropower portfolios, said.
He added that the modernisation of the hydel plant would significantly improve power availability in the region and contribute towards strengthening local infrastructure and promoting sustainable development in Tawang district.
The Kitpi Mini Hydel Project has long served as an important local power source for nearby communities in Tawang. Over the years, however, the ageing infrastructure required modernisation to keep pace with rising electricity demand in the region, officials said.
Small hydropower projects such as the Kitpi plant play a crucial role in remote and mountainous regions like Tawang district, where large-scale power infrastructure can be difficult to establish.
By harnessing the natural flow of rivers, these projects provide environmentally sustainable electricity while strengthening local energy security and supporting long-term regional development, they added. (PTI)
