Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state.

Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power.

Officials from the State Power and Electricity Department stated that the project is estimated to cost Rs 139.47 billion. Designed as an on-stream, closed-loop pumped storage facility, the plant will comprise eight units, each with a capacity of 300 MW, and is projected to generate 4,993.20 million units (MU) of electricity annually with 95 per cent plant availability.

The Chief Minister also announced that the state government has sanctioned Rs 2.85 billion for the installation of a 132 kV transmission line to enhance power supply reliability within the district.

He added that 10 per cent of the project cost will be funded by the Central Government under the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) scheme.

At present, Mizoram has no major power generation facility and remains heavily reliant on electricity imports, primarily from Tripura, incurring an annual expenditure of about Rs 4 billion, officials said.

The proposed project is seen as a transformative infrastructure investment that could reduce the state’s power deficit, attract new industries, and promote sustainable energy generation in the region.