Futuristic Approach of Utilisation of Hydropower in India

Abstract

Hydro power is a renewable source of energy used in most parts of the world. India is very rich in hydropower potential. It is the only clean and renewable source today making significance in the world of power production. With the rising economic growth and income level India is bound to have higher demand for electricity supply. India presently has an installed power generation capacity of 284,303MW (2015) inclusive of Hydropower which is 42,623MW(2015) .The situation is highlighted by the peak power deficit—shortfall in supply of power when the demand is maximum—was 5.2% in year 2013-14.With the fast depleting natural resources, it becomes mandatory that we increase the use of Renewable Resources for Power generation .When Thermal power in 2007 was 64% of the total generation and Hydro power was 26% and in 2015 instead of the thermal graph falling and Hydro power rising we see a different picture . In 2015 thermal has grown to 70% and hydro has fallen to 15%.Hydropower is such a good source for power why do we see the graph falling every year?? The amount of land submergence required for large Dams is the biggest concern where the Forest Act and the Environment Act also offer rigidity towards the same. Relative to so much submergence arises another major problem of Rehabilitation and Resettlement .Climatic changes and other negative effects of fossil fuel for power generation are growing concerns and therefore driving the expansion of hydropower around the world. The Reservoir based hydropower projects have also come under criticism due to carbon dioxide and methane emissions beyond acceptable limits. Ecological and many more issues that are preventing Hydro power as becoming the major source of electricity generation. In this paper we will review the major issues faced due to large hydropower plants and why they are not termed as Renewable sources.