Question : INCLUSION OF HYDRO POWER PROJECTS AS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE

(a) whether the Government proposes to include hydro power projects as renewable energy sources;

(a) if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to include both the Run-of-the-River (ROR) and large dam based hydro power plants under renewable energy;

(c) if so, whether the Government would be taking into account environmental and social impacts of large hydro power projects before including them under renewable energy sources and if so, the details thereof ; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to revise its renewable energy targets, if large hydro power projects are included as a part of renewable energy generation and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a),(b)&(c): Hydro Power is renewable, non-polluting and environment friendly source of energy. All Hydro power projects, including the Run-of-the-River and large dam based hydro power plants, are the sources of renewable power generation.

(d): Hydro power projects are cleared based on their environmental and social impact. As per Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, hydro power projects of and above 50 MW capacity require environment clearance from Central Government and projects between 50 to 25 MW require clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.

(e): Separate targets have been fixed small hydro and large hydro projects. Accordingly, revision of renewable energy generation target is not required.