The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has announced a massive ₹6.4 trillion ($77 billion) transmission plan to tap into the vast hydroelectric potential of the Brahmaputra basin by 2047. The move aims to strengthen India’s power supply and boost its renewable energy capacity.

According to the CEA, the plan covers 208 large hydro projects spread across 12 sub-basins in the northeastern region. Together, these projects will generate around 76 gigawatts (GW) of power, including 64.9 GW from traditional hydro plants and 11.1 GW from pumped-storage projects.

Among the states, Arunachal Pradesh, located along India’s border with China, holds the largest share, with 52.2 GW of potential capacity.

The Brahmaputra River, which originates in Tibet and flows through India and Bangladesh, offers one of the highest hydro potentials in South Asia. Because of its transboundary nature and proximity to China, the region’s water management and infrastructure development carry strategic importance for India.

The CEA has proposed a two-phase investment strategy for the project:

  • Phase 1 (till 2035): Investment of ₹1.91 trillion

  • Phase 2: Investment of ₹4.52 trillion

The initiative includes several projects already assigned to central public sector companies such as NHPC, NEEPCO, and SJVN, with a few already in progress.

The Brahmaputra basin, which stretches across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, and West Bengal, holds over 80% of India’s untapped hydropower potential.

By developing these resources, India aims to move closer to its national clean energy goals, achieving 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.

The new transmission network will help carry electricity from remote hydro plants in the Northeast to high-demand regions across the country. The CEA said the plan will not only strengthen energy security but also promote regional growth and ensure that India’s clean power transition stays on track.