New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Hydroelectric power projects with an aggregate capacity of 15 GW are under construction in the country, with plans to increase the hydro capacity by more than 50 per cent from 42 GW to 67 GW by 2031-32, according to the Ministry of Power.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted higher rainfall in the current financial year, which will benefit hydropower projects in the Himalayan region. The Ministry stated that the projects in the region receive base flow from melting snow, and any rise in temperature will increase the flow from this source.
With ongoing energy transitions, the development of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) is crucial for providing greater inertia and balancing power to the grid. PSPs, also known as ‘the Water Battery,’ are seen as an ideal complement to modern clean energy systems.
Currently, PSPs with an aggregate capacity of 2.7 GW are under construction, with another 50 GW in various stages of development. The Ministry projected that PSP capacity is expected to increase from 4.7 GW to around 55 GW by 2031-32.
The fall in hydropower generation in 2023-24 cannot be solely attributed to less rainfall. Natural disasters severely impacted hydropower projects in the Northern and Eastern regions, with flash floods disrupting operations and affecting generation in Himachal Pradesh and the Eastern region.
Despite challenges, the government remains optimistic, with IMD predicting a good monsoon in FY 2024-25 that could help replenish reservoir capacities. Hydroelectric power plays a significant role in providing peaking support to the electricity grid, enhancing reliability and resilience.
India’s energy transition aligns with ambitious targets set in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the COP Paris Agreement. The government aims to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 and achieve 50% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030, driving proactive measures towards hydropower development.
