The Government of India on Monday unveiled a comprehensive plan to evacuate 65 gigawatts (GW) of hydroelectric power from the Brahmaputra basin, involving a total investment of Rs 6.43 trillion.

According to the ‘Master Plan for Evacuation of Power from Hydroelectric Plants in Brahmaputra Basin’, prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the project will involve setting up 10,000 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines, 30 GVA (gigavolt-ampere) of transformation capacity, and 12 GW of High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) infrastructure to evacuate power from 12 sub-basins by 2035.

Beyond 2035, the plan envisions adding 21,475 ckm of transmission lines, including a 15,000 ckm HVDC corridor, and 68,175 MVA of additional transformation capacity—comprising 30 GW of HVDC—at an estimated cost of Rs 4.52 trillion.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said that to meet rising electricity demand and ensure long-term energy security, India must continue developing sustainable, economical, and reliable energy sources. “Harnessing hydropower is vital—not only as a major renewable energy source but also as a flexible resource that complements solar and wind power,” he noted.

Highlighting the vast hydro potential of the Brahmaputra basin, CEA Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad said the master plan provides a comprehensive transmission framework for power evacuation and long-term grid integration. “This plan gives clarity and visibility to developers of hydroelectric projects in the basin, enabling coordinated development,” he added.

The master plan also proposes pooling 11.13 GW of pumped storage hydro capacity into the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and intra-state transmission networks.

Although the overall transmission network has been designed, the implementation of specific elements will depend on applications received from project developers and approval by nodal agencies. Depending on future requirements and available technologies, higher-capacity HVDC or high-capacity AC links may be incorporated into the network.

The initiative marks a key step in India’s effort to unlock the hydroelectric potential of the Northeast, strengthen its renewable energy mix, and build a resilient, future-ready power infrastructure.