Hydropower Sector

NHPC, BEML partner to develop desilting solutions for hydro plants

NHPC on Monday announced a partnership with BEML to jointly explore opportunities for development of desilting and dredging solutions for hydro power plants. Besides, the solutions would help mitigate urban waterlogging during monsoons by swiftly clearing canals and culverts, support dredging and desilting operations in inland waterways, coastal areas, ponds, and lakes, NHPC said in a statement. NHPC and BEML have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to establish strategic cooperation for the development of advanced desilting and dredging solutions tailored for hydroelectric plants, it said. Upon successful implementation in pilot projects, the solutions are expected to be replicated across other hydro power plants, further strengthening India's renewable energy infrastructure, NHPC said. NHPC chairman and managing director R K Chaudhary said, "Together, we aim to enhance power generation efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and support India's ambitious renewable

Protest in Arunachal Pradesh against proposed 12,500 mw hydropower project

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district on Saturday, protesting the proposed 12,500-mw hydropower project. The protest, organised by the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), was held in Geku village, opposing the preliminary study being conducted in the area for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Around 600 villagers gathered at the spot around 8 am, raising slogans against the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Geku's Extra Assistant Commissioner A Ratan said the protest was peaceful and ended at 1 pm without any untoward incident. The NHPC has proposed three sites in the Upper Siang and Siang districts for the construction of the dam. One site is between Parong and Deging villages, one at Ugeng near Riga village and another between Ditte-Dime and Geku, officials said. The NHPC has been conducting surveys at the proposed sites to prepare a feasibility report for the project, they said.

Cabinet approves Rs 12,461 cr support for 31,350 MW hydropower projects

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 12,461 crore outlay to support the development of 31,350 MW hydropower projects to be implemented over the next eight years. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power for modification of the scheme of budgetary support for the cost of Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) with a total outlay of Rs 12,461 crore, an official statement said. According to the statement, the scheme will be implemented from FY2024-25 to FY2031-32. The limit of the budgetary support for the cost of enabling infrastructure has been rationalised to Rs one crore/MW for projects up to 200 MW and Rs 200 crore plus Rs 0.75 crore per MW exceeding 200 MW, for projects above 200 MW.

Centre approves Rs 4,136 cr for 15 GW hydropower projects in Northeast

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved equity support of Rs 4,136 crore to northeast states for developing hydropower projects, totalling 15,000 MW capacity over the next eight years. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power for providing central financial assistance (CFA) to the state governments of NER (North East Region) towards their equity participation in the development of hydroelectric projects through Joint Venture (JV) collaboration between state entities and Central Public Sector Undertakings, an official statement said. This scheme has an outlay of Rs 4,136 crore to be implemented from 2024-25 to 2031-32, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a briefing on the Cabinet decisions. A cumulative hydro capacity of about 15,000 MW would be supported under the scheme, the statement said. The scheme will be funded through 10 per cent gross budgetary support (GBS) for the northeastern regi

India's hydropower output records steepest fall in nearly four decades

Renewables accounted for 11.7% of India's power output in the year that ended in March, down from 11.8% a year earlier

Maharashtra govt signs MOUs with 7 companies for green hydrogen production

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signed Green Hydrogen Policy MoUs with seven companies. A move that has now made Maharashtra the first state to promote green hydrogen, he said.Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, "Green Hydrogen Policy- MoUs have been signed with seven companies. This is a big achievement. Ours is the first state to promote Green Hydrogen. In this investment worth Rs 2.76 lakh crore is being made. Seven big companies are working on it. It is a flexible & liberal policy. 60,000-70,000 people will get employment through it."He further said that this was the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."This is a huge step by the state government. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has also attended several meetings. ArcelorMittal and Nippon has today signed MOUs worth an investment of 40,000 crores today. More than 20,000 people will get jobs. Maharashtra is industrial-friendly state. When I went to Davos, MOUs worth 3.53 lakh crores were signed," the CM said.He further

Green hydrogen to play key role in India's net zero journey: Gautam Adani

Billionaire Gautam Adani on Tuesday said green hydrogen holds the key to India's journey to net-zero carbon emissions, and its current high cost can be reduced by replicating the solar power model. In a blog post for the World Economic Forum (WEF), the head of apples-to-airport Adani Group said leapfrogging to renewables and green hydrogen will help India achieve energy security and improve air quality in cities. Green hydrogen produced by splitting water using renewable electricity is a clean fuel with no carbon emissions. It can be used as a feedstock in industries like steel and oil refineries and as fuel in automobiles and produces water on being burnt. "Renewable energy has come a long way but relies on the right weather conditions; green hydrogen could be a viable alternative to fossil fuels," Adani said. Green hydrogen relies on renewable energy. And so the production cost of renewable energy must fall faster than green hydrogen's to be viable. Vertical integration, where a

Torrent Power inks pact with Maharashtra govt to build 3 hydro projects

The projects would entail an investment of about Rs 27,000 crore and would provide employment to nearly 13,500 people during the construction period

India exploited 29% of hydropower potential: Power Minister to Parliament

India has exploited 29 per cent of its hydropower potential against over 80 per cent and 70 per cent developed by the US and European Union respectively, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. As per the Reassessment Study carried out by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) during 1978-1987, the assessed hydropower potential in the country is about 1,45,320 MW (for projects with capacity above 25 MW), Power Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Singh said that 42,104.6 MW (29 per cent) out of 1,45,320 MW has been developed and 15,023.5 MW (10.3 per cent) is under construction. As per reports of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the US has developed more than 80 per cent of its hydropower potential and the EU (European Union) has developed more than 70 per cent of its hydropower potential, he told the House. The main challenges in the development of hydroelectric potential in the country are remote location, unpredictable geology, natura

NHPC, DVC sign pact to set up joint venture firm for hydro power: Report

State-owned hydro power giant NHPC on Wednesday said it has inked a pact with Damoder Valley Corporation to explore possibility of forming a joint venture firm for setting up hydro power projects

Reliance Industries, other energy majors form hydrogen coalition

Led by domestic energy giant Reliance Industries, many global energy and industrial players on Tuesday came together to form a new energy transition coalition, called the India H2 Alliance (IH2A)

We are optimistic about the hydropower sector: JSW Energy's Prashant Jain

The power ministry, in a recent notification dated January 29, had extended the mandatory HPO till 2030.

Government clears 8 hydropower projects on Indus river in Ladakh

The government has cleared eight hydropower projects of 144 MW on the Indus river and its tributaries in Ladakh

China eyes 60 GW of hydropower on Tibet's Brahmaputra river: Reports

Environmental groups and Tibetan rights activists have expressed concern about China's hydropower ambitions in the region, saying it could affect downstream water supplies.

HCC Q4 consolidated net profit at Rs 311 cr, income down to Rs 2,377 cr

The company's total expenses on a consolidated basis declined to Rs 2,366.13 crore, against Rs 2,752.97 crore a year ago

Hydel power output up 16% in FY20; non-fossil fuel's share at record high

Power Minister R K Singh said electricity generation in India rose 7.4 per cent in the first quarter ended June 2019, and 6.7 per cent in July

Govt showers Rs 16,000-crore bailout to hydropower sector

Package includes 4% interest subvention, low tariff and power-purchase obligation for states