Hydroelectric power projects in India have played a significant role in the country's electricity generation for decades. India has a vast network of rivers, which makes it an ideal location for hydroelectric power projects. In fact, hydroelectric power accounts for about 17% of India's total installed power generation capacity.
One of the first hydroelectric power projects in India was the Sivasamudram Falls project, which was commissioned in 1902. Since then, the country has seen a steady growth in the number of hydroelectric power projects. Some of the notable hydroelectric power projects in India include the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat, and the Indira Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh.
One of the major advantages of hydroelectric power projects is that they are a clean and renewable source of energy. They do not emit any greenhouse gases or other pollutants, making them a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for electricity generation. In addition, hydroelectric power projects have a relatively low cost of generation compared to other sources of electricity, such as coal or natural gas.
However, the construction of hydroelectric power projects in India has not been without controversy. Some of the concerns raised by local communities and environmental groups include the impact on the local ecosystem, the displacement of local communities, and the potential for damage from landslides or earthquakes.
To address these concerns, the Indian government has implemented a number of measures to ensure the sustainable and responsible development of hydroelectric power projects. These measures include conducting environmental impact assessments, implementing measures to mitigate the impact on local communities and ecosystems, and ensuring that the construction of the projects is carried out in a safe and responsible manner.
In conclusion, hydroelectric power projects in India have played a significant role in the country's electricity generation and have the potential to be a clean and renewable source of energy. While the construction of these projects has not been without controversy, the Indian government has implemented measures to ensure the sustainable and responsible development of hydroelectric power projects.
Hydroelectric power in India
. Water from the two dams is transported through a Head Race Tunnel into the powerhouse located at Kimi in West Kameng, for driving the 150 MW vertical turbine in each of the four units. After completion, the project has been the hydroelectric energy source for the nearby states of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. The 1210 m wide gravity dam is the second-largest concrete dam in the world after the Grand Coulee Dam across the Columbia River, US. However, owing to a plethora of impediments like flash floods, major changes in primary design, law and order problems, etc, the project completion got delayed by over a decade. Aspirants reading about List of Hydroelectric Power Plants can also refer to similar topics: There are more articles and UPSC-related preparation materials to choose from with the links given in the table below.
List of Hydroelectric Power Plants in India
India-Bhutan hydropower relations The bilateral hydropower cooperation began in 1961 when the Jaldhaka agreement was signed. Operated by: It began construction in 1954 and started operating in 1964. The power plant was opened on the 10th November 1897, with its original capacity of 65 Kilowatts production. The dam is 145. The Sardar Sarovar Dam, built on the Narmada River, is among the largest of the 30 dams planned as part of the Narmada Valley Projects. In 1986, Koyna Hydroelectric Project Location: Patan, Maharashtra, India.
India
Belimela is a joint project of Andhra Pradesh and Orisha governments. Upper Indravati Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Orissa 600 MW Upper Indravati Dam is is a gravity dam on Indravati river with installed capacity of 600 MW. Installed Capacity: 1530 MW. Now, NTPC has taken over the project Since 2019. The Bhakra canal provides water for irrigation to 40,000 km² of land in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The Sidrapong hydroelectric power station, or Sidrapong hydel power station, was commissioned on 10 November 1897.
Explained: What Kameng Project Signifies For Hydroelectric Power In India
Ranjit Sagar Dam Punjab State Power Corporation Limited Punjab 600 MW Ranjit Sagar Dam, also known as Thein Dam, is part of hydro electric cum irrigation purpose dam constructed by the govt of Punjab on the Ravi River in Punjab. The end of the 19th century saw the development of power in India. The BhakraDam, situated on the Sutlej River in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the highest gravity dams in the world, at a height of226 m. India is blessed with a multitude of rivers that flow throughout the year, giving the country the potential to generate a lot of clean energy to meet the ever-growing demand. Idukki Kerala State Electricity Board Kerala 780 MW Idukki Dam is built across Periyar River in Idukki district of Kerala.
