India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has unveiled an ambitious ₹6.4 trillion ($77 billion) transmission infrastructure plan aimed at evacuating over 76 gigawatts (GW) of hydroelectric power from the Brahmaputra River basin by 2047, as part of the nation’s long-term strategy to meet rapidly rising electricity demand and strengthen energy security.
According to the CEA’s report released on Monday, the comprehensive plan encompasses 208 large hydroelectric projects spread across 12 sub-basins in the northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, and Meghalaya. The projects collectively represent 64.9 GW of hydro potential, along with an additional 11.1 GW of capacity from pumped-storage plants (PSPs) — a key enabler of grid stability and renewable energy integration.
The transmission network will involve the construction of high-voltage lines, substations, and associated grid facilities to efficiently transport clean energy from remote mountainous regions to major demand centers across India. Once implemented, the initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s transition to a low-carbon power system, complementing the country’s growing solar and wind capacity.
The CEA emphasized that the Brahmaputra basin, endowed with abundant water resources and steep gradients, holds some of the country’s highest untapped hydropower potential. Developing this capacity through robust transmission infrastructure will not only boost regional economic growth but also strengthen India’s resilience against peak power shortages and support its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.