Assam Starts 70 MW Solar Power Plant, First Big Solar Project in Northeast India

Assam Starts 70 MW Solar Power Plant, First Big Solar Project in Northeast India

January 17, 2026

Guwahati, Assam – The Assam government has officially opened a new 70 megawatt solar power plant at Khudigaon in Bilasipara, Dhubri district, marking the first large-scale solar project in the region and a major boost to clean energy capacity. The project was inaugurated on January 15, 2026, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and will strengthen the state’s renewable energy supply and support efforts to cut carbon emissions.

The Dhubri Solar Power Project, developed by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) on about 330 acres of land leased from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) for 28 years, was built at a cost of around ₹367 crore after being awarded through competitive bidding. Designed to produce about 141 million units of electricity in its first year with a capacity utilization factor of 23 percent, the plant is expected to generate roughly 3,230 million units over 25 years while cutting carbon emissions by about 1.58 lakh tones.

Officials said the project, SJVN’s first operational solar installation in the North Eastern Region, will also create local employment during construction and operation phases and help Assam move towards its renewable energy goals. A power purchase agreement has been signed between APDCL and SGEL for electricity from the plant at a tariff of ₹3.92 per unit. With this commissioning, Assam’s total solar capacity has risen to about 680 MW, and the state aims to further expand clean energy capacity in the coming years.