While the country is reeling under acute power shortage, there is a huge potential for developing hydro-electric projects in various states. According to power ministry estimates, 14 states, concentrated mostly in the north and north-east, have an untapped hydro electric potential of nearly 1,25,000 mw.
Arunachal Pradesh leads the list with an untapped potential of about 49,913 mw. Of the potential of over 50,300 mw in the state, projects totaling only about 11 mw are in operation, while 405 mw is presently under construction, according to officials.
The upper reaches of both Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal have a combined potential of about 18,898 mw, of which 1,610 mw have been tapped, while projects totaling 3,453 mw are under various stages of construction. However, there is a huge potential of 1,3835 mw yet to be developed.
Only 17 per cent of the country's estimated hydro electricity potential of 1,50,000 mw has been exploited thus far against a utilisation of over 30 per cent by countries such as Norway, Canada and Brazil.
"The power ministry has taken steps to accelerate capacity addition from such projects, including higher budgetary allocation, investment approval of hydro-electric projects, identification of new projects in the central sector and promotion of state sector projects which have been held-up for various reasons," an official said.
Simplification of procedures for transfer of clearances and levy of 5 per cent development surcharge to supplement resources for hydro electric projects by NHPA allowed by the CERC are among the policy measures taken by the ministry for accelerating capacity addition from hydro-electric projects, they said.
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are among states having untapped potential of 13,071.05 mw and 12,282.75 MW respectively, followed by Sikkim, which has a potential of 3,683 mw.
In addition to harnessing the potential in these states, strengthening of transmission mechanism for effective evacuation of power is also on the cards, officials said.
