Question : Hydro Power Plants

(a) whether the Union Government is considering to reclassify large power plants as renewable projects, a move which can help the country achieve clean power capacity of 230 GW by 2022 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Union Government proposes to provide support to hydro power section so as to speed up the projects and to relaunch all the stalled projects as this sector can provide sustainable quality power for over 100 years and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether his Ministry is considering to club under construction hydro projects under the renewable energy category, alongside solar and wind projects, which entitles these projects to sharply lower tax rates and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether his Ministry has sought concessions for under-construction Hydel projects to generate more electricity from clean energy sources; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the achievements made in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER,
COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (e) : The Government is seized of the issue of promoting hydro power and improving its saleability by bringing down hydro tariff through suitable interventions. An Expert Committee was formed under the Chairpersonship of Ex. Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC) which held consultations with stakeholders and studied global practices in hydro power across the World. The recommendations of the Committee were presented during the Power Ministers Conference held at Vadodara from 7th to 8th Oct. 2016 and the resolutions agreed upon by the participating States are as under:-

• Declaring all hydropower (irrespective of size) as renewable energy which would ensure:


(i) All hydropower would be covered under Renewable Purchase Obligation.

(ii) All hydropower would get qualified for dispatch priority.


• Extending renewable energy benefits upto 100 MW projects (by increasing the earlier upper limit of 25 MW).


• Extending low cost credit to hydropower projects >100 MW from Coal Cess.

***********