GUWAHATI

The Arunachal Pradesh government on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) signed a memorandum of understanding with Norway’s Tidal Sails AS to establish India’s first kinetic energy demonstration plant.

A clean energy company based in Haugesund, Tidal Sails AS will help the State implement a 500 kW project to demonstrate a technology to generate electricity directly from river currents without requiring major civil infrastructure, offering an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective renewable energy solution.

The agreement was signed between the Arunachal Pradesh government’s Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies and the Norwegian firm under the India-Norway Green Partnership. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Innovation Norway are supporting the project.

The State’s Science and Technology Minister, Dasanglu Pul, said the agreement reflected a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation for clean energy transition in Arunachal Pradesh, which has an estimated hydropower potential of 58,000 MW.

“Our extensive river systems offer immense renewable energy potential. I am confident that the project would strengthen energy security while ensuring environmentally responsible utilisation of natural resources,” she said.

The Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, said Arunachal Pradesh’s river systems made it an ideal location to demonstrate river kinetic energy technology, which could complement existing renewable energy sources and enhance long-term energy security.

She said the project emphasised the growing cooperation between Norway and Arunachal Pradesh in areas including geothermal energy, geotechnical engineering, and sustainable infrastructure. EOM

Published - July 15, 2026 03:40 am IST