The hydro capacity of the country is expected to increase from 42 GW to 67 GW by 2031-32, marking an increase of more than half of the present capacity. Hydroelectric power projects with aggregate capacity of 15 GW are currently under construction in the country.
Apr 11, 2024
The hydro capacity of India is expected to reach 67 GW by 2031-32, marking an increase of more than 50 percent from the current capacity of 42 GW.
As per an official statement, hydroelectric power projects with aggregate capacity of 15 GW were currently under construction in the country.
Hydroelectric power has always played a significant role in the energy landscape of the country, providing essential peaking support to the electricity grid, thus enhancing the reliability and resilience of the power system.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted higher rainfall in the current financial year. Further, hydropower projects located in the Himalayan region get base flow from contribution of snowmelt, from surface runoff produced by melting snow; so, any rise in temperature will increase snowmelt contribution.
Moreover, given the ongoing energy transitions in the country, the development of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) assumes importance for providing greater inertia and balancing power to the grid. PSPs are also known as ‘the Water Battery’, which is an ideal complement to modern clean energy systems.
Currently, PSPs with aggregate capacity of 2.7 GW are under construction in the county and another 50 GW is under various stages of development. The PSP capacity of the country is expected to reach around 55 GW by 2031-32 from the current 4.7 GW.
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The fall in hydro power generation in 2023-24 as compared to 2022-23 cannot be attributed solely to less rainfall. In the southern region, which contributes approximately 22 percent of the total hydro energy generated, low rainfall has indeed played a role.
However, the hydroelectric power projects in Northern and Eastern regions, comprising over 60 percent of total hydro energy generation, have been severely impacted by natural disasters in 2023-24.
In July 2023, Himachal Pradesh experienced flash floods, disrupting the operation of many power stations in the area. Besides, flash floods in the Eastern region in October 2023 have further hindered the operation of several hydro power stations, thus affecting the generation severely.
The hydrology of any river basin is variable and follows some period of alternate wet and dry spells. Lower rainfall in the past does not mean that the same type of rainfall will necessarily occur in the future as well.
While the lightest rainfall since 2018 resulted in reduced water levels in a few reservoirs, the government is reasonably optimistic about the future.
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The prediction by the IMD of a good monsoon in FY 2024-25 suggests a potential reversal of the trend. This anticipated increase in rainfall could contribute to replenishment of reservoir capacities, which were lost during the scarce rainfall in the previous year.
Further, the current downturn may be temporary, rather than indicative of a long-term decline.
The development of hydro power projects has been marred by various issues such as natural calamities, geological surprises and contractual disputes, which have resulted in slower hydro capacity addition in recent years.
Nevertheless, aligning with the ambitious targets set forth by India in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the COP Paris agreement, which are aimed at reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving 50 percent of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030, the government has adopted a proactive stance towards hydro power development, striving for accelerated progress.
