Hydropower projects are crucial to stabilize the grid as India looks to add 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity
At present, India has an installed power-generation capacity of 357,875 megawatts
With the scrapping of the Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, industry captains believe that hydropower is back in play in India’s energy mix. Also, Arunachal Pradesh that had awarded a raft of projects to private companies has now approached state run NHPC Ltd to execute them.
Hydropower projects, often located in remote regions, are crucial to stabilize the grid as India looks to add 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity. However, given the issues regarding resettlement of the affected population and infrastructure development, many projects have been stuck and delayed leading to a decreasing share of hydropower in the country’s energy mix.
“A great activity time for hydropower is foreseen by us," said Balraj Joshi, chairman and managing director of state run NHPC Ltd, India’s largest hydropower generation firm and added, “Coal fire projects are on their way out slowly. The government of India has recognized the need for boosting hydro power."