Utilization of Hydro Power Potential – 42104.6 MW (29%) out of 145320 MW developed and 15023.5 MW (10.3%) is under construction – EQ Mag
As per the Reassessment Study carried out by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) during 1978-1987, the assessed hydro power 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 Today.
