EVS ASSIGNMENT

INDIA’S TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENRGY

HYDRO POWER ENERGY

INTRODUCTION TO HYDRO POWER ENERGY

Hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, is a renewable energy source that
harnesses the energy of flowing or falling water to generate electricity. The word
Hydro is originated from Ancient Greek word “hudor”, meaning water. It is one of
the oldest and most widely used forms of renewable energy, dating back to ancient
civilizations and has significant potential for further development in this sector.
Hydropower in India:
History and Background: India's relationship with hydropower dates back to the
late 19th century when the first hydropower plant was established in Darjeeling,
West Bengal. The British colonial administration initiated the development of
small hydropower projects. However, it was after India's independence in 1947 that
the country witnessed significant growth in the sector.
How it works: Hydropower plants use the kinetic energy of flowing or falling
water to rotate a turbine, which is connected to a generator. The generator converts
the mechanical energy into electrical energy, producing electricity. The amount of
power generated depends on the volume of water flow and the height or pressure
of the water.
Types of hydropower plants: There are different types of hydropower plants,
including:
• Impoundment plants: These are the most common type and involve the
construction of dams to create reservoirs. Water is released from the reservoir
through turbines to generate electricity.
• Run-of-river plants: These plants use the natural flow of a river without the need
for a reservoir. They divert a portion of the river's flow through turbines to generate
power.
• Pumped storage plants: These plants have two reservoirs at different elevations.
During periods of low electricity demand, excess power is used to pump water

from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When demand is high, the water is
released from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir, passing through turbines
and generating electricity.
Potential: India has substantial hydropower potential due to its numerous rivers
and hilly regions. According to estimates, India's total theoretical hydropower
potential is around 148,700 megawatts (MW), out of which only a fraction has
been tapped. The country has identified several sites for large, medium, and small
hydropower projects.
Installed Capacity: As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, India had an
installed hydropower capacity of around 50,000 MW, accounting for
approximately 13% of the country's total installed power capacity. Major
hydropower plants in India include the Bhakra Nangal Dam in Himachal Pradesh,
Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, and Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.
Policies and Initiatives: The Indian government has implemented various policies
and initiatives to promote hydropower development. The Ministry of Power,
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and the Central Electricity Authority are
responsible for formulating and implementing these policies. The government
offers incentives, subsidies, and long-term power purchase agreements to attract
private investment in the sector.
Advantages of hydropower:
• Renewable and clean: Hydropower relies on the water cycle, making it a
renewable energy source. It does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or air
pollutants during operation.
• Reliable and dispatchable: Hydropower plants can quickly respond to changes in
electricity demand, providing a stable and consistent source of power.
• Water management: Hydropower projects often involve reservoirs that can be
used for water storage, flood control, and irrigation purposes.
Challenges: The hydropower sector in India faces several challenges, including
environmental concerns, resettlement and rehabilitation issues for displaced
communities, geological risks in hilly regions, and funding constraints. Addressing
these challenges is crucial for sustainable and responsible hydropower
development.

 Future Outlook: India aims to tap into its untapped hydropower potential and
increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix. The government has
set a target of achieving 40% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil
fuel-based energy sources by 2030, which includes hydropower. The development
of small hydropower projects and the revival of stalled projects are also on the
agenda.
Hydropower plays a significant role in India's renewable energy portfolio, and the
country continues to explore opportunities for harnessing its vast hydropower
potential while ensuring sustainable development and environmental conservation.

PROGRESS OF INDIA IN HYDRO POWER SECTOR:

As we know India has highest population in the world and it is third largest
consumer of electric energy in the world. According to world energy Statics 2019,
India is the third largest producer of electricity in the world. India is a
developing country so electricity is core for it for development in every sector. It
can be seen that various sources contribute to form the electricity such as fossil
fuels. But data show that most of the fossil fuels will be exhausted by the 22nd
century. Therefore, Indian government want to shift this focus on renewable
resources. Government of India has targeted increase in renewable resources up to
175 GW in year 2022. Presently India is 5th largest producer of hydro power
energy in the world with more than 80% of the hydropower capacity being
distributed among the Himalayan States. In India hydropower is classified into
small and large hydropower. The Large hydropower is governed by Ministry of
Power and Small hydropower up to 25 MW is looked after by the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy.
Now we will look towards that Government has taken several policy initiatives in
the past for hydropower development in the country.
• National Electricity Policy 2005,
• National Tariff Policy 2016,
• National Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy 2007 and Right to Fair
Compensation & Transparency in Land Acquisition,
• Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013

 The Government has also issued some measures to promote Hydro Power Sector
in year 2019. Following some provisions had been made:
• Declaring Large Hydro Projects as Renewable Energy source.
• Tariff rationalization measures for bringing down hydropower tariff(tax).
• To provide budgetary Support for Flood Storage Hydro Electric Projects.
• To provide Budgetary Support for the Cost of Enabling Infrastructure i.e.,
roads/bridges.

TECHNOLOGIES
Technologies adopted by Indian Government for generation of hydroelectric
energy :-
There are many technologies that are adopted by our Indian Government for hydro
energy generation. The most common technique that is done by hydroelectric
power plant is to build a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water released
from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a
generator to produce electricity.
There is another type of hydroelectric power plant called a pumped storage plant –
can even store power. This conventional hydropower is an important piece of
DOE’s renewable energy portfolio because it acts as utility-scale grid storage
technology. The Water Power Program plays an essential and catalytic role in
demonstrating the benefits of pumped-storage hydropower as a part of our clean
energy future – acting as a renewable form of grid stabilization and enabler for the
high penetration of variable renewables.
Hydro power projects are classified as large and small hydro projects based on
their sizes. In India, hydro power plants with capacity of 25 MW or below are
classified as small hydro. Hydro power plants with a capacity up to 3MW and
below was transferred to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Thereafter, many initiatives were taken by this Ministry since then for the
promotion of small hydro which included implementation of a UNDP-GEF.
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is the country’s largest
hydropower producer with an authorized capital of Rs 200 crore. It has a total

 capacity of 5,987 Megawatt. Some hydroelectric power projects of India are Koyna
hydroelectric power plant, Machkund hydroelectric power plant, Nagarjunsagar
Hydroelectric Power plant etc.
And now there are six emerging hydropower technological trends which aimed at
increasing hydropower’s flexibility, efficiency and cost effectiveness were the
subject of a workshop organised by the European Commission Joint Research
Centre (JRC). These technologies cover hydropower flexibility, digitalisation,
storage and variables speed turbines, generators with current – controlled rotors, as
well as novel small – scale and fish-friendly technology.
New technology of marine hydrokinetic (MHK) harnesses energy from ocean
waves, tides and currents, and convert it into electricity to power our homes,
buildings and cites.
So hydroelectricity uses the energy of running water, without reducing its quantity,
to produce electricity. Therefore, all hydroelectric developments, of small or large
size, whether run of the river or of accumulated storage, fit the concept of
renewable energy.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Hydro Energy is an important source of renewable energy for India, and the
country has a significant potential for the development of hydro energy. It has been
collaborative with other countries and international organizations to promote the
development of its hydrogen energy industry. The International Hydropower
Association (IHA) has been working with India to provide technical assistance
and sharing knowledge and expertise.

India and Bhutan have been collaborating on hydroelectric power projects since
the 1960s. But the Cooperation between these two countries in the hydro-power
sector, begun in 1988with the first project of Chukka hydropower plant. It had
proved to be the backbone of the Bhutanese economy as it contributed more than
35 percent of Bhutan’s revenues. In this way, Bhutan has a significant amount of
hydroelectric potential, which India has helped to develop.
During the period 1998 to 2007, two following projects were commissioned
between these two countries:





 • Tala Project
• Kuricchu plant
Both projects were built by India.
Then again in April 2014, these two countries signed Inter-governmental
Agreement on four hydropower projects which are following:
• Kholongchu
• Bunakha
• Wangchhu and
• Chamkharchhu-I.
Through these projects India also receives a share of the electricity generated. The
collaboration has been beneficial for both countries, with Bhutan earning revenue
from the sale of electricity and India receiving a reliable source of clean energy.
India and Nepal have been collaborating on the Arun -3 Hydroelectric Project. It
is being developed by the Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam (SJVN) a joint venture of the
Government of India and the government of Himachal Pradesh. The project is
located in the SanKhuwasabha district of Nepal and it is expected to generate 3859
million units of electricity per year. The project is expected to be completed by
2023.
The 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydroelectric Project is being developed by GMR
Energy Limited, an Indian infrastructure company. The project is located in the
Surkhet and Dailekh districts of Nepal, and it is expected to generate 4,000 million
units of electricity per year. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.
The 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project is being developed by SJVN
Limited, in partnership with the Druk Green Power Corporation, a Bhutanese
company. The project is located in the Trashiyangtse district of Bhutan, near the
border with India. The project is expected to generate 2,569 million units of
electricity per year. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.
The 900 MW Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is being developed by the
Governments of India and Nepal. The project is located on the Mahakali River,
which forms the border between India and Nepal. The project is expected to
generate 8,700 million units of electricity per year, and it will also provide

irrigation, flood control, and other benefits. The project is expected to be

completed by 2030.

We can hereby conclude that, hydropower plays a significant role in India's

renewable energy portfolio, and the country continues to explore opportunities for
harnessing its vast hydropower potential while ensuring sustainable development
and environmental conservation.