Hydropower projects of India

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India's HP installed capacity is now 50 GW, which is 3.8% of total global capacity (1300 GW). Status of top nations is: China (356.4), Brazil (109.1), US (102.8), Canada (81.4), India (50.1), Japan (49.9) and Russia (49.9). India has 35 GW HP capacity u/c or in planning.

Dam construction of all types is intense as seen from this quote. While talking on Safety of existing dams, "Environment minister Prakash Javadekar, said the country has more than 5,000 dams, with nearly 4,700 under construction."

Importance of HP projects - flexibility:  On 5th April 2020 at 9pm, public was encouraged to switch off their lights for 8 minutes to show support for Covid workers. Disruption was managed by coordinating efforts with state govts and major HP operators. At the appointed time, HP generation was reduced from 26,000 MW down to 8,000 MW to match the demand reduction. An expert commented that, "flexibility of hydropower resources to meet the rapid drop and rise in the demand on 5 April 2020 triggered policy-makers to seriously think of installing more hydropower projects, along with pumped storage.”

It underscores Govt's drive to heavily promote large-scale HP projects, so these facilitate the ramp up of solar & wind-based power to meet very ambitious targets by 2030.

Incentives for hydropower projects: All HP projects will be treated as renewable power. It helps to increase off-take, reduces debt cost & servicing, and increases viability. HP power can be used to fulfill Renewable Purchase Obligations by discoms. Debt repayments are now stretched to 18 years and tariffs adjustment is made over 40 years with 2% pa increments. Govt is also funding flood control component on case-by-case basis, and feeder roads and bridges.

Ongoing projects and news
1. Permanent cement making (or clinker grinding unit) via private sector, in Arunachal, to supply proposed 2880MW Dibang MP and for employment thereafter. 

India hydropower projects