Hydropower development in India

Abstract

India is one of few countries of the World which started hydro power development about a century ago almost simultaneously with the developed countries of the World. From a Hydro: Thermal mix of 45: 55 during late sixties, it has today landed to mind boggling proportion of 25: 75. Had we managed it at just reverse proportion of 75: 25 the average cost of generation would have been much less and there would have been no peaking shortage under the same MW installed under the same investment. China one hand has become second largest economy after US leaving behind India & Japan reaching largest hydro installed capacity in the world (2,20,000 MW) after commissioning world's largest hydro plant - three gorges (22,500 MW). Brazil on the other hand has surpassed a developed country like Canada in terms of GDP (2.31 against 1.39 trillion USD) not by higher installed power capacity (only116 against 130 thousand MW in Canada) but by a higher Hydro content (84% against 61%). Further pumped storage schemes are now becoming more & more relevant with continuous peaking power deficits of 13% (in some parts running to 30%) and solar & wind facing a major challenge of its utilization 24x7.With the present rate of consumption, world is left with app. 200 yrs. of Coal, 75 yrs. of Nuclear resources, 50 yrs. of gas & 25 years of oil whereas hydropower is perennial sources of energy with least carbon foot prints. The paper discusses the various constraints and challenges facing the development of hydropower in India like lack of infrastructure facilities construction Power, land acquisition, Power evacuation infrastructure, Lack of trained & skilled manpower, silt problems, geological issues, natural hazards, lack of hydrological data, poor contract management, & inadequate investigations & mismatch between policies of Centre & State. In order to overcome these problems, various suggestions have also been given.