Question : Share of Hydro Power

(a) the total installed capacity of power in the country as per the latest estimates available and the percentage shares of hydro, thermal, nuclear and other sources in the total;

(b) the extent to which the total installed capacity and percentage share of various sources of energy changed in the last decade;

(c) whether the share of hydro power in the power sector increased and reached maximum of 50.62% in 1962-63 and since then it has been constantly decreasing and at present it is a meagre 15.22 %;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Union Government to revive the Hydro Power Sector and increase its contribution;

(e) whether the Government has taken note of the environmental problems associated with large hydroelectric power projects and if so, the action being taken thereon; and

(f) the steps being taken to encourage smaller hydroelectric power projects that are more environmentally sustainable?

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

( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b): The total installed capacity of power in the country, as on 30.11.2016, is 3,08,834 MW.


The total installed capacity and percentage share of various sources of generation capacity for 2006-07 and 2016-17 (up to 30.11.2016) is given at Annex.

(c) : The percentage of hydropower in the total installed capacity has declined from a maximum of about 50.62% (2,936 out of a total of 5,801 MW) in the year 1962-63 to about 13.97% (43,133 MW out of total 3,08,834 MW) as on 30.11.2016.

(d) to (f) : The reasons for decrease in share of Hydro Power, inter alia, include larger and accelerated capacity addition in thermal sector to meet growing energy demand, long gestation period of hydro power projects, geological surprises, rehabilitation & resettlement issues, funds constraint in private sector projects etc.

The re-assessment of hydro power potential in the country has been necessitated due to the availability of additional hydrological, topographical and other data about upstream and downstream water usages as well as the e-flow and other considerations mandated by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Further, the progress of according of Environment and Forest Clearances is reviewed at various levels in Ministry of Power (MoP) and MoEF&CC including at the level of Hon’ble Ministers. MoEF&CC have also issued various guidelines to streamline and expedite the process for according of Environment and Forest Clearances.

A number of steps have been undertaken by the Government to encourage smaller hydro electric power projects viz. provision of debt financing of longer tenure under National Electricity Policy, option of charging lower rate of depreciation vis-a-vis Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) norms, extending cost plus tariff regime for public and private sector hydro projects upto 15.08.2022, excluding hydro power from Renewable Purchase Obligation etc.

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