The Jindal Power owned Etalin Hydro Project, in Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh which has been saddled with social and environmental impacts, was in news recently. A financial analysis carried out by Ashwini Chitnis & Shripad Dharmadhikary argues that the project is even financially non-viable.
It shows that:
- There is no economic/financial rationale for the project. Analysis has been submitted to the MoP requesting to consider this for its response to the FAC. Read PR & Submission.
- Power tariff of Etalin is likely to be Rs 7-9/ unit, though DPR claims levelised tariff at Rs 4.32 (2013 prices). Recent study estimates pwr price from solar PV system + battery storing 25% of PV energy ā¹ 3.94/kWh (2020), ā¹ 3.32/kWh (2025), ā¹ 2.83/kWh (2030).
- Existing Hydro is not utilised effectively for peaking demand. All hydro suffer huge cost and time overruns, making their cost even more unviable. No discom will sign PPA for such costly power when cheaper options are available. Etalin is not part of National Electricity Plan for 2027.
