Initiatives to Harness Hydro Potential

New Delhi, December 02, 2024: The Government of India has taken various initiatives to harness the hydro-power potential including the hydro pumped storage potential viz :-

1. Declaring large hydropower projects (capacity above 25 MW) as renewable energy source.
2. Hydro Renewable Energy Consumption Obligation by Designated Consumers.
3. Tariff rationalization measures for bringing down hydropower tariff.
4. Budgetary support for Flood Moderation/Storage hydroelectric projects.
5. Budgetary support towards cost of enabling infrastructure, i.e. roads, bridges, ropeways, railway siding, communication infrastructure and Transmission Line from power house to the nearest pooling point, including upgradation of polling substations of State or Central Transmission Utility.
6. Guidelines to promote development of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in the country was issued on 10^th April, 2023.
7. Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for hydroelectric projects and PSPs.
8. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the State Governments of North Eastern Region (NER) towards their equity participation for development of Hydro Electric Projects in the NER through Joint Venture collaboration between State entities and Central Public Sector Undertakings.
9. Reduction of timeline by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for concurrence of Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of hydroelectric projects and PSPs.

As per the study carried out by CEA during the period 2017-2023, the exploitable large hydro potential in the country is about 133.4 Giga Watt (GW).  Further, the identified pumped storage potential is about 181.4 GW.  The State / UT-wise details are at Annexure-I.

CEA has concurred 11 Hydroelectric (H.E.) schemes including PSPs with an aggregate installed capacity of 9,048 MW during the last five years. The State/UT-wise details are at Annexure-II. Further, 11 H.E. Schemes aggregating to 8,036 MW and 44 PSPs aggregating to 60,050 MW are under Survey & Investigation (S&I) for preparation of Detailed Project Report.  The State / UT-wise details are at Annexure-III.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Power, Shri. Shripad Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

ANNEXURE-I

State / UT-wise details of Exploitable Potential of Hydro and Identified Potential of Pumped Storage (capacity above 25 MW)

(Figures in MW)

Note:  Exploitable/Identified Potential is subject to change due to addition/deletion and change in Installed capacity of some projects.

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ANNEXURE-II

State/UT-wise number of Hydro Electric (H.E.) Schemes including Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) concurred by CEA during last five years

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ANNEXURE-III

State/UT-wise details of Hydro Electric Schemes for which Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are under preparation

1. Hydro Electric (H.E.) Schemes

2. Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs)

PIB