India's Hydro Power Potential: Current Status and Challenges in Development

NEW DELHI- As per the Reassessment Study carried out by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) during 1978-1987, the assessed hydropower potential in the country is about 145320 MW (for projects with capacity above 25 MW). Presently, 42104.6 MW (29%) out of 145320 MW has been developed and 15023.5 MW (10.3%) is under construction. The state wise hydro power potential and its status of development are attached at Annexure.

As per reports of International Hydropower Association (IHA), USA has developed more than 80% of its hydro power potential and EU has developed more than 70% of its hydro power potential.

The main challenges in development of hydroelectric potential in the country are remote location, unpredictable geology, natural calamities, environment and forest issues, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) issues, law & order issues and inter-state issues

The Government has undertaken a number of policy initiatives to enhance the hydro power generation in the country, including in Andhra Pradesh, which are, inter alia, as under:

• Declaring Large Hydro Power (> 25 MW projects) as Renewable Energy source.
• Provision of Hydro Purchase Obligation (HPO) as a separate entity within Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).
• Notification of tariff rationalization measures to bring down hydro power tariff.
• Provision of budgetary support for cost of Enabling Infrastructure, i.e. roads/bridges and Flood Moderation.
• Notification of a “Dispute Avoidance Mechanism” through 'Independent Engineer’ and “Dispute Resolution Mechanism” through “Conciliation Committee of Independent Experts (CCIE)” to expeditiously and effectively address contractual disputes.
• Notification of guidelines to reduce the incidence of time and cost over-run in Hydro Power Projects
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges on transmission of electricity generated from new Hydro Electric Projects.

ANNEXURE

Status of Hydro Electric Power Potential and Development (above 25 MW, as on 28.02.23)

Region/ State	Identified Capacity (reassessment study)	Capacity in operation		Capacity under construction
NORTHERN	(MW)	(MW)	%	(MW)	(%)
Jammu & Kashmir	11567	3360.0	29.0	3099.5	26.8
Ladakh	2046	89.0	4.3	0.0	0.0
Himachal Pradesh	18470	10263.0	55.6	2490.0	13.5
Punjab	971	1096.3	100.0	206.0	21.2
Haryana	64	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Rajasthan	483	411.0	85.1	0.0	0.0
Uttarakhand	17998	3975.4	22.1	1571.0	8.7
Uttar Pradesh	664	501.6	75.5	0.0	0.0
Sub Total (NR)	52263	19696.3	37.7	7366.5	14.1
WESTERN
Madhya Pradesh	1970	2235.0	100.0	400.0	20.3
Chhattisgarh	2202	120.0	5.4	0.0	0.0
Gujarat	590	550.0	100.0	0.0	0.0
Maharashtra	3314	2647.0	79.9	0.0	0.0
Goa	55	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Sub total (WR)	8131	5552.0	68.3	400.0	4.9
SOUTHERN
Andhra Pradesh	3261	1610.0	49.4	960.0	29.4
Telangana	1099	800.0	72.8	0.0	0.0
Karnataka	6459	3689.2	57.1	0.0	0.0
Kerala	3378	1864.2	55.2	140.0	4.1
Tamil Nadu	1693	1778.2	100.0	0.0	0.0
Sub Total (SR)	15890	9741.6	61.3	1100.0	6.9
EASTERN
Jharkhand	582	210.0	36.1	0.0	0.0
Bihar	40	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Odisha	2981	2154.6	72.3	0.0	0.0
West Bengal	2829	441.2	15.6	120.0	4.2
Sikkim	4248	2282.0	53.7	1037.0	24.4
Sub Total (ER)	10680	5087.8	47.6	1157.0	10.8
NORTH EASTERN
Meghalaya	2298	322.0	14.0	0.0	0.0
Tripura	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Manipur	1761	105.0	6.0	0.0	0.0
Assam	650	350.0	53.8	120.0	18.5
Nagaland	1452	75.0	5.2	0.0	0.0
Arunachal Pradesh	50064	1115.0	2.2	4880.0	9.7
Mizoram	2131	60.0	2.8	0.0	0.0
Sub Total (NER)	58356	2027.0	3.5	5000.0	8.6
ALL INDIA	145320	42104.6	29.0	15023.5	10.3

In addition to above 8 Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) having capacities of 4745.6 MW are under operation and 4 PSPs having a capacity of 2780 MW are under construction.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Power Sh. R.K. Singh in the Rajya Sabha On 21 March 2023.

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