Hydropower Potential in India: A Review

Abstract

India being a developing nation, the requirements increase day by day which leads to the crisis of resources. Energy sources are mostly affected because of increase in the mechanisation and different development schemes. Specially if we talk about the energy sector, the increase in the demand is just an effect of urbanisation. As someone said very right, “Everything comes with a price”, so the question is what price you willing to pay? Ample amount of production and distribution of energy becomes a major task today. The environmental aspect and continuous depletion of fossil fuels concern its availability in future and force it to look forward to alternative sources. Sources of energy which are considered to be renewable like hydro, wind and solar can become a boon for the future generation. Currently, in India, the energy contribution by hydropower by utilising water potential is around 12.4% (including small hydropower) of total energy generation, whereas renewable sources share up to 18%. So, there is a need for proper functioning and sustainable methods where the renewable sector can be uplifted. In India, hydroelectric energy capacity is roughly calculated as 148,700 MW having load factor of 60%. In India, the overall hydroelectric power for FY 2019–20 was 156 TWh (excluding SHP) having average CF as 38.71%. This paper reviews major literature on the generation capacity of hydropower. A review on different alternatives available to fulfil the energy demand and to investigate the different types of correlations developed by previous investigators. The study also focuses on small hydropower development its benefits and cause. In India, small hydropower plants contribute around 4671 MW of electricity, and around 526 MW is under construction. Using small hydropower can make a sustainable growth in the energy sector. Furthermore, the study also put forward the suggestions for development in the energy scenario along with policies offered by the government.