New Delhi, Jul 14: Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norwegian company Tidal Sail AS for the implementation of a 500 kW River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Project, paving the way for India's first river kinetic energy demonstration plant in the state.
The MoU was signed between the Centre for Earth Sciences & Himalayan Studies (CES&HS), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and Tidal Sail AS under the India-Norway Green Partnership.
Supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and Innovation Norway, the project will demonstrate a technology that generates electricity directly from river currents without the need for major civil infrastructure, offering an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective renewable energy solution, particularly for remote and difficult-to-access regions.
Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul described the agreement as a significant milestone in the state's clean energy transition. She said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and international cooperation.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh's vast river systems, Pul said the state possesses immense renewable energy potential and expressed confidence that the project would enhance energy security while ensuring environmentally responsible utilisation of natural resources.
She also thanked the MNRE, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Innovation Norway, Tidal Sail AS and other partner institutions for their support in making the initiative possible.
Norwegian Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener said Arunachal Pradesh's abundant river systems make it an ideal location to demonstrate river kinetic energy technology, which can complement existing renewable energy sources and strengthen long-term energy security.
She noted that the project reflects the growing partnership between Norway and Arunachal Pradesh in areas such as geothermal energy, geotechnical engineering and sustainable infrastructure, reaffirming Norway's commitment to promoting green technologies and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
CES&HS Director Tana Tage said the demonstration project would diversify the state’s renewable energy portfolio while exploring decentralised power generation solutions for remote and inaccessible areas.
He said successful implementation of the technology could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, preserve river ecosystems and position Arunachal Pradesh as a leader in next-generation renewable energy innovation.
Tage also highlighted CES&HS' expanding collaboration with Norwegian institutions, including the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, in geothermal energy and sustainable infrastructure development.
Officials said the MoU marks a new chapter in India-Norway cooperation in renewable energy and is expected to facilitate the deployment of advanced river kinetic energy technologies in Himalayan river systems, contributing to sustainable development and long-term energy security in Arunachal Pradesh.