Why We Have to Rely on Hydel Power

Context:  Hydropower offers a cheap, fast and sustainable solution to meet peak demand given the low variable cost and the availability of many perennial rivers.

Reasons for promoting Hydel Power in India

• High Operational efficiency they are efficient than thermal and gas based projects; Reasons being - 
  • Ideal to meet peak load compared to thermal power plants (as they can provide electricity within three to five minutes from being switched on). (gas projects take 30 minutes)
  • Provide backup till the time that thermal projects start operating at a minimum threshold of 30% of their installed capacity. 
  • Solves energy storage problems through hydro pump storage schemes for utility-scale projects.
• Increase share of renewable energy basket: 
  • India being the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after the US and China targets to add 45 GW of hydropower capacity and 450GW renewable energy target by 2030.
• Green Energy: as it does not cause emissions
• Strategic imperative: 
  • Of the eight river basins in Arunachal Pradesh, Subansiri, Lohit, and Siang are of strategic importance as they are closer to the border with China.
  • India is expediting strategic hydropower projects in J&K following the reorganization.
  • Sharing water under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 is strategically vital in the context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
  • China’s ambitious $62 billion south-north water diversion scheme raises concern for India.
• Socioeconomic relevance: hydropower projects play key role in the development and integration of India’s north-east region with the mainland.

Concerns and Challenges

• Ecological and environmental issues: 
• For e.g.  Nyamjang Chhu hydroelectric project in the Arunachal Pradesh, is home to endangered black-necked crane, Red panda, Himalayan black bear, Musk deer, local Monpa tribe, medicinal plants and rare orchids.
• Large multilateral lenders being averse to such projects due to ecological and social sensitivity.
• High hydropower tariff: around 100GW of electricity potential in India’s rivers is lying untapped and DISCOMS are reluctant to sign power purchase agreements for hydropower because of high tariffs.
• Developing hydropower projects is complex process: as it is time-consuming (long gestation period) requiring thorough survey and investigation, specialized technology and design, and  environmental clearances.