MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE )
(a) to (g) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF
STARRED QUESTION NO. 253 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK
SABHA ON 08.12.2006 REGARDING HYDRO POWER GENERTION.
(a) & (b) : The re-assessment studies of hydro-electric potential of India, completed
by the Central Electricity Authority in 1987, have placed the hydro power potential at
about 84,044 MW at 60% load factor which when fully developed would result in an
installed capacity of about 1,50,000 MW on the basis of probable average load factor.
Out of the total exploitable hydro power potential, about 33,600 MW has already been
developed, another 13,527 MW is under development. The extent of exploitable hydro
potential and the status of its development in some of the countries is at Annexure.
Some of the main reasons for slow development of hydro potential
in the country are as follows:
(i) Difficult and in-accessible sites.
(ii) Problems encountered in acquisition of land.
(iii) Resettlement & Rehabilitation problems.
(iv) Law & order problems.
(v) Long gestation period.
(vi) Geological challenges in construction of projects in difficult Himalayan region.
(vii) Inter-state disputes relating to water.
(viii) Apportionment of project costs among various beneficiary States.
(ix) Cumbersome procedures and delays in obtaining environment, forest and
wildlife clearances.
(x) Excessive burden on account of Net Present Value (NPV) imposed on diversion of forest land.
(xi) Paucity of funds in the State sector.
(c) : The Union Government has accorded top priority to the development
of hydro potential in the country. The following measures have been taken by the
Government for expeditious development of hydro power potential:-
(i) Policy on Hydro Power Development (1998) including measures to attract private participation.
(ii) Creation of various Central/Joint Sector Corporations for implementation of Hydro Electric (H.E.) Projects.
(iii) 3-stage clearance procedure for Central Public Sector Undertakings.
(iv) Ranking Study by Central Electricity Authority in 2001-02 for prioritizing the projects.
(v) Launching of 50,000 MW Hydro-Electric Initiative in May, 2003.
(vi) Enactment of Electricity Act, 2003.
(vii) National Rehabilitation &.Resettlement (R&R) Policy, 2003.
(viii) National Electricity Policy, 2005.
(ix) National Tariff Policy, 2006.
(x) Guidelines for determination of tariff by competitive bidding process for procurement of power by distribution licensees issued in January, 2005.
(xi) Periodical review of projects under construction by the Ministry of Power and monitoring of the projects by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) including undertaking of regular field visits.
(xii) Review meetings with manufacturers/suppliers of major equipments.
(xiii) Regular coordination meetings with Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Water Resources, Central Water Commission and Central Electricity Authority for early clearances of the projects from environment, forest and wildlife angles, sharing of waters of Inter-State rivers and concurrence under the Electricity Act, 2003.
(xiv) Advance action for identification of Hydro Electric Projects for benefits during 11th Plan and beyond.
(d) : There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to set
up a Hydro Power Commission.
(e) : Question does not arise.
(f) & (g) : At present, 36 hydro electric schemes with an aggregate installed
capacity of 7260 MW are held up due to non-resolution of Inter-State water
disputes.
The subject of `Water including Water power` is a State subject
under List II of the Schedule 7 of the Constitution. The Ministry of Power
recognizes that the hydro-electric should be developed without prejudice to the
rights of the riparian States as determined by the Awards of the
Tribunals/Agreements for a given river basin. The issue has been addressed in the
Hydro Policy announced by the Ministry of Power, Government of India in
August, 1998. It has been suggested that the selection and design of project be
based on integrated basin wise studies, so as to arrive at an optimal decision,
ensuring that such projects do not in any way prejudice the claims of basin states
or affect benefits from the existing projects. It has also been laid down in the
Hydro Policy that a consensus would be evolved amongst the basin states
regarding the location of such projects, basic parameters involved and mechanism
through which each project would be constructed and operated.
