Arunachal Pradesh signed a memorandum of understanding with Norway's Tidal Sail AS for a 500 kW river kinetic energy demonstration project. The agreement was made between the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES&HS), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and Tidal Sail AS under the India-Norway Green Partnership.

The project is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and Innovation Norway and will demonstrate technology that generates electricity directly from river currents without requiring major civil infrastructure. The technology is presented as an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective renewable energy solution suitable for riverine settings.

Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul described the agreement as a milestone in Arunachal's clean energy transition and said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and international cooperation. She noted that the state’s extensive river systems offer immense renewable energy potential and expressed confidence that the project would strengthen energy security while ensuring environmentally responsible utilisation of natural resources.

Pul thanked MNRE, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Innovation Norway, Tidal Sail AS and other partner institutions for supporting the initiative. The Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, said Arunachal’s river systems make it an ideal location to demonstrate river kinetic energy technology and that the demonstration could complement existing renewable energy sources and enhance long-term energy security.

Tana Tage, director of CES&HS, said the demonstration would diversify the state's renewable energy portfolio and explore decentralised power generation for remote and inaccessible regions. He suggested successful implementation of the technology could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, preserve river ecosystems and position Arunachal as a leader in next-generation renewable energy innovation.

Tage highlighted CES&HS collaboration with Norwegian institutions, including the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, in geothermal energy and sustainable infrastructure. Officials said the MoU marks a new phase in India-Norway cooperation and will facilitate deployment of river kinetic energy technologies in Himalayan river systems, contributing to sustainable development and energy security in Arunachal.