Hydropower Used in the Power Sector of India

India is largely focusing on harnessing energy from a sustainable, renewable source to reduce the depletion of non-renewable sources. Hydroelectric power in India is a form of clean, renewable energy that generates power using a dam for altering the natural flow of the water body. Hydroelectric energy uses water moving at high speed to rotate the turbine and generate electricity. 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy manages the functions of the hydroelectric sector for bringing out India’s true hydropower potential. India is ranked 5th globally for the installation of the hydroelectric power capacity. The article provides an insight into the history of hydroelectric power in India, its storage and the use of energy in electricity production. 

Potential of Hydroelectric power in India

The first hydroelectric power plant was established in Darjeeling in 1898, followed by one in Shivanasamudra in 1902. The projects were the first in Asia, and India continues to be one of the dominant producers of hydroelectric power. 

• In 2019, India was the fifth largest hydropower producer at a capacity of 50W. However, India’s true hydropower potential remains untapped. Out of all the states, Arunachal Pradesh has unexploited potential for hydroelectric power generation.
• There are 197 hydropower plants with the capacity to produce more than 25 MW of energy. 
• The capacity of energy production from hydroelectric power in India as of 31st March 2020 is 46,000 MW. Hence, it contributes to nearly 12% of the total power generation. 
• The overall viable hydroelectric potential is estimated as 148,701 MW. 
• Nearly 92.5% of hydro energy storage in India and hydroelectric power production is done by public sector companies. The main PSUs involved in the production of hydroelectric power in India are NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), SJVN (Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam), NTPC-Hydro (National Thermal Power Corporation), and NEEPCO (Northeast Electric Power Company).
• The additional hydroelectric power units can generate 4,683 MW of hydroelectric power with a 1.3% power generation capacity. 
• India also imports excess hydroelectric power from Bhutan. 

Generation of Electricity from Hydroelectric power 

One of the reasons hydroelectric power is preferred as an energy source for the production of electricity is because it is a renewable, sustainable form of energy. The hydro energy storage of India has helped in converting the electricity deficit to a surplus state of production. The hydroelectric power in India is harnessed through dams where the movement of large turbines from the flow of water converts the potential energy into mechanical energy. 

The hydro energy storage of India has made it one of the largest producers of hydroelectric energy. The pumped storage schemes store the surplus hydroelectric power generated and hence help meet the peak load shortage demand. Along with the hydropower plants, India consists of over 4,800 MW of pumped storage capacity for storing excess power produced. India’s true hydropower potential is used in the production of electricity, irrigation, industrial purposes, etc.

Hydropower Projects and its Classification 

Hydroelectric power in India is obtained majorly through two types of hydropower projects, which are large and small hydro projects. The projects are categorized based on their size and production capacity.

Large Hydropower Projects

• The projects are handled and regulated by the Ministry of Power. The large hydropower projects have generated 1,45.320 MW of power with a 20 GW potential for electricity generation.
• There are more than 100 hydropower plants that have a generation capacity above 25 MW. There are nine pumped storage stations for hydro energy storage in India with the plants.

Small Hydropower Projects

• There are many small hydropower projects, and it is handled by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The small hydropower plants can generate 25 MW of below hydroelectric power. 
• The first small hydro project was commissioned and established in Darjeeling with a generating capacity of 130 kW. This was followed by the Shivasamudram project of 4500 kW capacity in 1902, majorly set up for powering the Kolar gold mines. 
• The micro and mini-hydropower plants can generate up to 100 kW and 101 kW to 2MW capacity of hydropower. However, the small hydropower plant generates 2 MW to 25 MW of power. 

Potential of Hydroelectric Power in India 

India’s true hydropower potential is spread across North-East India and Northern regions. Arunachal Pradesh has a huge potential for unexploited hydroelectric power of up to 47 GW. The potential of Uttarakhand follows this in generating hydroelectric power. Around 90GW pumped hydro energy storage in India to supply electricity when there is a crunch. 

The Indus Basin has maximum potential with a probable installation capacity of 33,832 MW. However, many parameters like design and capacity, environmental, eco-sensitive zone, etc., are considered. The Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is India’s highest hydroelectric power project, which was commissioned in 2006. 

Conclusion

Hydroelectric power in India is one of the renewable energy sources for electricity generation. The Ministry of Power is responsible for managing the large scale hydro powers, whereas the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy manages the small scale hydropower projects. Hydropower generation is one of the most important energy forms used to produce electricity cleanly and sustainably. Nearly 12.3% of overall power generation in India is through the hydroelectric project with a capacity of 46000 MW.