AGARTALA | Tripura has launched its Clean Energy Roadmap 2035, with electricity demand in the state projected to rise from around 380 MW currently to nearly 800 MW by 2035. The roadmap was launched in Agartala on Thursday along with the Green Skilling Programme ‘Unnayan’ and the Transforming Renewable Energy Acceleration in Tripura programme, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) Managing Director Biswajit Basu said electricity demand was expected to reach around 520 MW by 2030 and nearly 800 MW by 2035.The roadmap seeks to expand renewable energy generation and strengthen the state’s power infrastructure to meet the projected increase in demand.

Key measures include wider adoption of rooftop solar systems, Battery Energy Storage Systems and the rehabilitation of hydropower projects. The state will also explore hydrokinetic power projects, an 800-MW pumped storage project, floating so lar installations and green hydrogen.

Tripura currently has around 60 MW of installed solar generation capacity, Basu said. The state is also exporting around 190 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through the cross-border power connection. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said reliable electricity supply was crucial for industries, hospitals and educational institutions.

Nath said Tripura currently had no load-shedding, while clarifying that temporary power disruptions in some areas should not be categorised as load-shedding. The state is also planning a major modernisation of Agartala’s power distribution network. Nath said the entire electricity infrastructure within the Agartala Municipal Corporation area would gradually be shifted underground at an estimated cost of more than Rs 1,500 crore.

The tender process has been completed and the work order issued, Nath said. Work is expected to begin after the election process, with a Bhumi Pujan ceremony to be held in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha before construction starts. The proposed smart-grid system will feature underground high- and low-voltage cables, GIS substations and a control centre integrated with SCADA and ADMS. An underground optical-fibre communication network will also be developed as part of the project.

The clean energy transition will be supported by a green-skilling programme aimed at training more than 1,000 people, including ITI graduates, Class XII pass-outs, self-help group members, diploma engineers and technicians. The programme will focus particularly on modern solar power applications. ADB Principal Energy Specialist James Colastharaj said the roadmap was designed as an implementable framework for renewable energy development, energy security and green employment. He said the ADB had been working with the Tripura government and TSECL on the roadmap since 2023.