Question : CAPACITY ADDITION OF HYDEL POWER PROJECTS

(a) whether the Hydel Power Projects have failed to achieve the prescribed target capacity addition during the Eighth Plan period;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) the number of hydel power projects cleared by Central Electricity Authority so far;

(d) whether the Government have failed to exploit the potential of Hydro Power for want of funds in the country;

(e) if so, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether any long term planning has been made by the Government to improve the situation during the Ninth Plan period; and
(g) if so, the details thereof alongwith the share of central sector, state and private sectors in capacity addition, state-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )

(a) : Hydro capacity installation of 9282.2 MW was programmed to be added during 8th Plan which was revised to 3796.70 MW after the mid term appraisal. Hydro capacity installation of 2427.65 MW was actually achieved during the 8th Plan period.

(b) : Slippage in the addition of planned hydro capacity during 8th Plan was mainly due to problems relating to Resettlement and Rehabilitation, law and order, funds constraints, contractor problems, slow progress of works, delay in award of works, natural calamities, inter-state disputes and low priority given by some State Governments.

(c) : As on 29.2.2000, 29 hydro projects, 5 in private sector and 24 in public sector, excluding those which have got investment sanction have been accorded techno-economic clearance by Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

(d) & (e) : A re-assessment of hydro electric potential of the country carried out during 1978-87 have indicated hydro electric potential of 84044 MW (at 60% load factor) of major/medium schemes. As on 1.2.2000, out of this assessed potential, hydro electric projects of potential of 16.13% have been developed, 6.25% are under construction and 3.34% have been cleared by the Central Electricity Authority. Therefore, 74.28% of the hydro electric potential of the country is yet to be harnessed. The reasons for slow development of hydro electric potential are problems relating to rehabilitation, availability of good contractors, environment and forest clearance, law and order, land acquisition, geological surprises, apart from inter state aspects and slow development of North Eastern Region.

(f) & (g) : The Planning Commission had formulated a capacity addition programme of 40245.2 MW from/during 9th Plan, Sector-wise details are given below:

 MW	Central	11909.0	State	10747.7	Private	17588.5