Question : SMALL HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

(a) whether the Government has formulated any policies for the development of small hydro power projects and exploitation of the total potential of power generation from such projects;

(b) if so, the details thereof, location and State-wise;

(c) the details of financial support provided for identification of new potential sites including survey and preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPRs) since introduction of the above policies;

(d) the reasons for not seeking technical knowhow/assistance from any developed country to set up small hydro power projects; and

(e) the corrective steps being taken in this regard to augment power generation from such projects?

MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a): Yes, Madam. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has a policy for the development of Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects.

(b): The estimated potential of small hydro in the country is about 20,000 MW. Out of this, capacity of 3451 MW have been setup and projects of 1290 MW are under implementation in the country. State-wise details of SHP identified potential, projects installed and under implementation are given at Annexure

(c): The Ministry is providing financial support to the State Governments / State agencies for the overall estimation of potential of SHP projects in a State/UT, identification of new potential sites and for the preparation of Plan for systematic SHP development in the State. The Ministry also provides support of rupees two lakhs for project up to one megawatt capacity and rupees five lakhs for project with more than one megawatt and up to 25 megawatt capacity for preparation of DPRs including detailed survey and investigation.

(d): Appropriate technical know-how and infrastructure for setting up of small hydro projects, manufacturing of hydro turbines and control systems have been developed in the country, indigenously and through joint ventures with developed countries.

(e): So far, over 920 small hydro projects have already been set up in the country. Training programmes on establishment and operation of small hydro plants efficiently are organized on regular basis at Alternate Hydro Energy Center, IIT, Roorkee.