India's Hydropower Potential
India, like the rest of the world, is experiencing problems of how to meet its energy needs. As a developing country, India also faces the dilemma of fueling growing energy needs of its industry and people, which are bound to catch up with those of more developed countries. India’s progress in renewable energy is evaluated in the Indian Renewable Energy Status Report: Background Report for DIREC (October 2010).
India was one of the world leaders in installed renewable energy capacity as of June 2010 with 17+ GW of renewable power generating capacity currently installed. These 17 GW represent about 10% of India’s installed electric generating capacity. Wind capacity accounts for the largest portion of this, contributing 12+ GW. Small hydro contributes 2.8 GW.
Hydroelectricity, of all renewable sources, produces the largest proportion of the world’s electricity at about 16% (“Energy…” 2007). Growth is projected to over 60% in the next 20 years, and most of this is expected to occur in developing countries. Potential is greatest in developing countries because many of these have yet to utilize the majority of potential hydropower generation. Small hydro projects have the potential to make significant contributions to India’s power needs.
Although power generated via large hydropower project is fairly economical, the drawbacks of large projects include severe environmental effects. Sediment accumulation upstream of dams and downstream sediment starvation; depletion of dissolved oxygen,; disruption of riverine ecosystems, including fish movements; and habitat loss and human displacement (“Energy…” 2007).
Small hydro projects are less environmentally disruptive and destructive. When compared to large structures with storage reservoirs, small hydro causes almost no habitat destruction, and does not carry the cost of community displacement which the creation of water reservoirs imposes on areas to go under hydro power. The small size of these projects allows for a more regular flow of water, movement of riverine life, and flow of sediment. Small hydro projects are especially suited to rural and remote areas that are ill-suited to other energy supply solutions.
Currently, the governments of India and state level governments provide incentives for construction of small hydropower plants. Private sector and NGO construction benefit from capital subsidies given to new plants whose generation is in the 100 kW-25 MW range. Subsidies for watermills are also granted, and range from between INR 35,000 (USD 700) and INR 110,000 (USD 2,200). Subsidies given for micro-hydro range INR 40,000 (USD 800) to INR 100,000 (USD 2,000). Northeastern states enjoy higher subsidies relative to the rest of India, paid in installments with the schedule of payments varying based on the scale of the project. Projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and northeastern states have higher capacity due to the regions’ hilly terrain and availability of resources.
Until the end of the 1990s, the Indian small hydropower market, similar to the entire power market, was dominated by public-sector companies. Due to incentive systems, private investment is increasing: 192 projects have been installed by private parties as of December 2009, with a total capacity of 1,005 MW, 39% of the total installed capacity.
Local state solutions have made efforts to work with unique situations to make small hydro projects work. Andhra Pradesh’s Tribal Power Company is responsible for implementing small hydro projects of 1-3 MW in otherwise restricted development areas of tribal people. Projects are developed in partnership with local tribal women, and project profits go directly to the local tribes of the area.
Technological advancements are improving the viability of small hydro projects as energy solutions. Equipment for small hydropower projects has experienced increasing efficiency and reliability due to shifts from largely mechanical systems to automated electronic control systems and integration with power grids. Remote operating and automatic data collecting can help monitor system performance by personnel from a comfortable, suitable location not necessarily on-site. Capital costs should come down with incentives and technological advancements.
Though small hydro projects remain promising as a component of India’s renewable energy portfolio, there are some drawbacks to this source. Projects generating <5MW experience higher capital and operating costs and are unable to take advantage of economy of scale. Most rivers in India are fed by precipitation from monsoons, and thus their flow is erratic and not a reliable enough source to consistently power small turbines. However, especially in the foothills of the Himalayas, river flow is more regular and may thus be a more reliable source for hydropower generation. This may account for the greater remaining potential of the northern states to generate MW via hydropower. Debris in rivers may present challenges to maintenance and upkeep of hydro installations. Some silting of equipment does occur, though it does not require nearly the same amount of maintenance as that of large scale dam projects. Logistical and civil construction processes need to be redesigned to reduce installation time. Advancements can also be made in sediment management to reduce silting of equipment.
Large dam hydro projects are costly to construct and maintain. By distributing the burden of MW generation throughout the country via localized, smaller-scale projects, a comparable amount of energy could be produced without the devastating environmental and social impacts of large-scale hydropower installations. Spatial variation of climate creates some locations that are more appropriate than others for small hydro projects. Solutions to energy needs would be ideally tailor-made to work with regional variations and specific needs of the people, industries and environment of the region. A diversity of energy sources is key to providing power to India’s people, and localizing energy solutions ensures they are the most appropriate for every region.
References:
Macfarlane, A. “Energy: The Issue of the 21st Century”. 2007. Elements, Vol. 3, pp 165-170.
Indian Renewable Energy Status Report. Background Report for DIREC 2010. NREL.
India was one of the world leaders in installed renewable energy capacity as of June 2010 with 17+ GW of renewable power generating capacity currently installed. These 17 GW represent about 10% of India’s installed electric generating capacity. Wind capacity accounts for the largest portion of this, contributing 12+ GW. Small hydro contributes 2.8 GW.
Hydroelectricity, of all renewable sources, produces the largest proportion of the world’s electricity at about 16% (“Energy…” 2007). Growth is projected to over 60% in the next 20 years, and most of this is expected to occur in developing countries. Potential is greatest in developing countries because many of these have yet to utilize the majority of potential hydropower generation. Small hydro projects have the potential to make significant contributions to India’s power needs.
Although power generated via large hydropower project is fairly economical, the drawbacks of large projects include severe environmental effects. Sediment accumulation upstream of dams and downstream sediment starvation; depletion of dissolved oxygen,; disruption of riverine ecosystems, including fish movements; and habitat loss and human displacement (“Energy…” 2007).
Small hydro projects are less environmentally disruptive and destructive. When compared to large structures with storage reservoirs, small hydro causes almost no habitat destruction, and does not carry the cost of community displacement which the creation of water reservoirs imposes on areas to go under hydro power. The small size of these projects allows for a more regular flow of water, movement of riverine life, and flow of sediment. Small hydro projects are especially suited to rural and remote areas that are ill-suited to other energy supply solutions.
Currently, the governments of India and state level governments provide incentives for construction of small hydropower plants. Private sector and NGO construction benefit from capital subsidies given to new plants whose generation is in the 100 kW-25 MW range. Subsidies for watermills are also granted, and range from between INR 35,000 (USD 700) and INR 110,000 (USD 2,200). Subsidies given for micro-hydro range INR 40,000 (USD 800) to INR 100,000 (USD 2,000). Northeastern states enjoy higher subsidies relative to the rest of India, paid in installments with the schedule of payments varying based on the scale of the project. Projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and northeastern states have higher capacity due to the regions’ hilly terrain and availability of resources.
Until the end of the 1990s, the Indian small hydropower market, similar to the entire power market, was dominated by public-sector companies. Due to incentive systems, private investment is increasing: 192 projects have been installed by private parties as of December 2009, with a total capacity of 1,005 MW, 39% of the total installed capacity.
Local state solutions have made efforts to work with unique situations to make small hydro projects work. Andhra Pradesh’s Tribal Power Company is responsible for implementing small hydro projects of 1-3 MW in otherwise restricted development areas of tribal people. Projects are developed in partnership with local tribal women, and project profits go directly to the local tribes of the area.
Technological advancements are improving the viability of small hydro projects as energy solutions. Equipment for small hydropower projects has experienced increasing efficiency and reliability due to shifts from largely mechanical systems to automated electronic control systems and integration with power grids. Remote operating and automatic data collecting can help monitor system performance by personnel from a comfortable, suitable location not necessarily on-site. Capital costs should come down with incentives and technological advancements.
Though small hydro projects remain promising as a component of India’s renewable energy portfolio, there are some drawbacks to this source. Projects generating <5MW experience higher capital and operating costs and are unable to take advantage of economy of scale. Most rivers in India are fed by precipitation from monsoons, and thus their flow is erratic and not a reliable enough source to consistently power small turbines. However, especially in the foothills of the Himalayas, river flow is more regular and may thus be a more reliable source for hydropower generation. This may account for the greater remaining potential of the northern states to generate MW via hydropower. Debris in rivers may present challenges to maintenance and upkeep of hydro installations. Some silting of equipment does occur, though it does not require nearly the same amount of maintenance as that of large scale dam projects. Logistical and civil construction processes need to be redesigned to reduce installation time. Advancements can also be made in sediment management to reduce silting of equipment.
Large dam hydro projects are costly to construct and maintain. By distributing the burden of MW generation throughout the country via localized, smaller-scale projects, a comparable amount of energy could be produced without the devastating environmental and social impacts of large-scale hydropower installations. Spatial variation of climate creates some locations that are more appropriate than others for small hydro projects. Solutions to energy needs would be ideally tailor-made to work with regional variations and specific needs of the people, industries and environment of the region. A diversity of energy sources is key to providing power to India’s people, and localizing energy solutions ensures they are the most appropriate for every region.
References:
Macfarlane, A. “Energy: The Issue of the 21st Century”. 2007. Elements, Vol. 3, pp 165-170.
Indian Renewable Energy Status Report. Background Report for DIREC 2010. NREL.
