Subhah Shirin at 23:13, 6 January 2026

2026-01-06T23:13:18Z

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[[File:Barahachukki.jpg|thumb|[[Shivanasamudra Falls]]]]
[[India]] is 5th globally for installed [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric power]] capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/india-overtakes-japan-with-fifth-largest-hydropower-capacity-in-the-world/76095023|title= India overtakes Japan with fifth-largest hydropower capacity in the world|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> As of 31 March 2020, India's installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity was 46,000 [[Watt|MW]], or 12.3% of its total utility power generation capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/installedcapacity/2020/installed_capacity-03.pdf|title= All India installed capacity of power stations, March 2020|access-date= 25 May 2020|archive-date= 12 May 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200512013135/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/installedcapacity/2020/installed_capacity-03.pdf|url-status= dead}}</ref> Additional smaller hydroelectric power units with a total capacity of 4,683 MW (1.3% of its total utility power generation capacity) have been installed.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://mnre.gov.in/the-ministry/physical-progress| title=Renewable Energy Physical Progress as on 31-03-2020| publisher=Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, GoI| access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> India's hydroelectric power potential is estimated at 148,700 [[Megawatt|MW]] at 60% [[Load factor (electrical)|load factor]].<ref name=Hydro>{{cite web| url=http://www.cea.nic.in/monthlyhpi.html| title=Hydro Electric Potential in India| access-date=17 April 2016| archive-date=26 August 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826230228/http://cea.nic.in/monthlyhpi.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[fiscal year]] 2019–20, the total hydroelectric power generated in India was 156 [[TWh]] (excluding small hydro) with an average [[capacity factor]] of 38.71%.

The [[hydroelectric power]] plants at [[Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station|Darjeeling]] and [[Shivanasamudra]] were established in 1898 and 1902, respectively. They were among the first in Asia and India has been a dominant player in global hydroelectric power development.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.indiawaterreview.in/Story/Features/india-remains-dominant-player-in-global-hydropower/1890/2#.VxjVYtR96t8| title=India remains major competitor in global hydropower| access-date=17 April 2016| archive-date=16 April 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416201722/http://www.indiawaterreview.in/Story/Features/india-remains-dominant-player-in-global-hydropower/1890/2#.VxjVYtR96t8| url-status=dead}}</ref> India also imports surplus hydroelectric power from [[Bhutan]].

Small hydropower, defined to be generated at facilities with nameplate capacities up to 25 MW, comes under the ambit of the [[Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|Ministry of New and Renewable energy]] (MNRE); whilst large hydro, defined as above 25 MW, comes under the ambit of the [[Ministry of Power (India)|Ministry of Power]].<ref name="ceaExecSummary201702">{{cite web|url=http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/executivesummary/2017/exe_summary-02.pdf|title=Executive Summary Power Sector February 2017|date=28 February 2017|work=report|publisher=Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India|format=pdf|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=17 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417140545/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/executivesummary/2017/exe_summary-02.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mnre.gov.in/small-hydro|title=Small Hydro|website=Government of India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220053206/http://mnre.gov.in/small-hydro|archive-date=2018-02-20|url-status=dead|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>
[[Koyna Hydroelectric Project]] is the largest completed hydroelectric power plant in India, with a power capacity of 1960 MW.

India's hydroelectric power output dropped by 16.3% in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, the largest decline in 38 years, primarily due to low rainfall. This decrease led to hydroelectricity's share of India's total power generation falling to a historic low of 8.3%. As a result, the country's reliance on coal increased, with hydro generation reaching a five-year low of 146 billion kWh. The lack of rainfall was attributed to the lightest rainfall since 2018 and potentially influenced by the [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation|El Niño]] weather pattern. Consequently, hydroelectric power's role in the Indian energy mix is diminishing, with its reliability questioned due to erratic weather patterns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Varadhan |first1=Sudarshan |last2=Yap |first2=Cassandra |date=2024-04-01 |title=India hydropower output records steepest fall in nearly four decades |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/india-hydropower-output-records-steepest-fall-nearly-four-decades-2024-04-01/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |agency=Reuters}}</ref>

Advantages of hydroelectric plants are not limited to power generation. In fact, many of its other services are becoming increasingly important in the context of the energy transition and climate change. Hydropower plants offer a broad range of services to the grid that includes balancing and ancillary services. Additionally, hydropower can provide water services such as flood control, irrigation control, water distribution, recreational facilities, and wastewater control.<ref>{{cite web |title=The changing role of hydropower: Challenges and opportunities |url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/changing%20role%20of%20hydropower.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302221922/http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/changing%20role%20of%20hydropower.pdf |archive-date=2 March 2023 |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref>

==Hydroelectric potential==
[[File:Indiravati Dam.jpg|thumb|[[Indravati Dam|Upper Indravati power house]]]]
India's economically exploitable and viable hydroelectric potential is estimated to be 148,701 MW.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/hydro/2016/hydro_potential_region-02.pdf |title=Status of Hydro Electric Potential Development in India |access-date=17 April 2016 |archive-date=9 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509124150/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/hydro/2016/hydro_potential_region-02.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powertoday.in/News/Hydropower-%7C-Too-slow-to-be-steady/98203 |title=Hydropower - Too slow to be steady |access-date=17 April 2016 |archive-date=10 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610215913/http://www.powertoday.in/News/Hydropower-%7C-Too-slow-to-be-steady/98203 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An additional 6,780 MW from smaller hydro schemes (with capacities of less than 25 MW) is estimated as exploitable.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-plans-push-for-hydro-power-116041100037_1.html | title=Govt plans push for hydro power| access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> 56 sites for pumped storage schemes with an aggregate installed capacity of 94,000 MW have also been identified. In central India, the hydroelectric power potential from the [[Godavari River|Godavari]], [[Mahanadi River|Mahanadi]], [[Nagavali River|Nagavali]], [[Vamsadhara River|Vamsadhara]] and [[Narmada River|Narmada]] river basins has not been developed on a major scale due to potential opposition from the tribal population.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cea.nic.in/monthlyhepr.html | title=River basin wise hydro potential in India, CEA | access-date=23 June 2017 | archive-date=3 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903182633/http://www.cea.nic.in/monthlyhepr.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Basin-wise potential of Hydropower==
[[Brahmaputra]] has highest potential in terms of generating [[Hydroelectricity]] followed by [[Indus]], [[Ganga]]. East-flowing rivers have the largest potential as compared to West-flowing rivers and Central-Indian basins.

The public sector accounts for 92.5% of India's hydroelectric power production. The [[NHPC|National Hydroelectric Power Corporation]] (NHPC), [[NEEPCO|Northeast Electric Power Company]] (NEEPCO), [[Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam]] (SJVNL), [[THDC Ltd|THDC]], and [[NTPC Limited|NTPC-Hydro]] are some of the public sector companies producing hydroelectric power in India. The private sector is also expected to grow with the development of hydroelectric energy in the [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] mountain ranges and in the northeast of India.<ref name=Hydro/>
Indian companies have also constructed hydropower projects in [[Bhutan]], [[Nepal]], [[Afghanistan]], and other countries.<ref name=Hydro/>

[[Bhakra Dam|Bhakra Beas Management Board]] (BBMB), a state-owned enterprise in north India, has an installed capacity of 2.9 GW.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279502465_AN_OVERVIEW_OF_HYDRO-ELECTRIC_POWER_PLANT|title=AN OVERVIEW OF HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT (PDF Download Available)|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> The generation cost after four decades of operation is about {{INRConvert|0.27}} per kWh.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/executivesummary/2016/exe_summary-05.pdf | title=See page 33, Executive Summary for the Month of May, 2016| access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> BBMB is a major source of peaking power and black start capability to the northern grid in India and its large reservoirs provide wide operational flexibility. BBMB reservoirs also supply water for the irrigation of {{convert|12.5|e6acres|km2 sqmi}} of agricultural land in partner states, enabling the [[Green Revolution in India|green revolution]] in the northern India.

The International Hydropower Association estimates that the total hydropower potential in India is 660,000 GWh/year, of which 540,000 GWh/year (79%) is still undeveloped.<ref name="WEC2016">{{cite web |title=World Energy Resources {{!}} Hydropower 2016 |url=https://www.worldenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WEResources_Hydropower_2016.pdf |publisher=World Energy Council |access-date=6 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806115611/https://www.worldenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WEResources_Hydropower_2016.pdf |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> India ranks as the fourth country in the world by undeveloped hydropower potential, after Russia, China and Canada, and fifth by total potential, surpassed also by Brazil.<ref name="WEC2016" />

==Pumped storage units==
{{See also |Electricity sector in India#Solar power|Pollution of the Ganges#Ganga|Power sector of Andhra Pradesh#Pumped storage hydroelectricity projects}}
India has transformed from an electricity deficit state to an electricity surplus state. Peak load shortages can be met making use of [[Pumped-storage hydroelectricity|pumped storage]] schemes which [[Grid energy storage|store surplus power]] to meet peak load demands. The pumped storage schemes also contribute secondary, seasonal power at no additional cost when rivers are flooded with excess water. India has already established nearly 4,800 MW pumped storage capacity with the installation of [[List of power stations in India|hydropower plants]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cea.nic.in/hpi-report/?lang=en| title=Status of Pumped Storage Development in India | access-date=26 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://npti.in/Download/Hydro/Pumped%20Storage%20Hydro%20Power%20Plant,%20Electrical%20India,%20Nov,%202013.pdf |title=Pumped storage hydro power plant |access-date=27 August 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707211619/http://npti.in/Download/Hydro/Pumped%20Storage%20Hydro%20Power%20Plant%2C%20Electrical%20India%2C%20Nov%2C%202013.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2014 }}</ref> Another 2780 MW capacity is under construction as of December 2023 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ieefa.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/Energy%20Storage_Dec23.pdf | title=Energy Storage: Connecting India to Clean Power on Demand | access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>

In a tropical country like India, abundant water for agriculture is needed due to a very high annual [[Evapotranspiration|evaporation rate]]. Pumped storage units can also be used as pumping stations to supply river water for upland irrigation, industrial needs, and drinking water.<ref>{{cite web|title=Multipurpose Freshwater Coastal Reservoirs and Their Role in Mitigating Climate Change|url=https://www.ijee.latticescipub.com/wp-content/uploads/papers/v3i1/A1842053123.pdf|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref> The amount of water necessary to meet this demand can be harnessed from India's rivers via pumped storage units. [[Food security]] in India is improved with [[water security]] which in turn is possible from the [[energy security]] to supply the power needed for the pumped storage schemes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/food_security.shtml|title=Water and food security {{!}} International Decade for Action 'Water for Life' 2005-2015|website=www.un.org|language=EN|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> The [[Gujarat]] state's [[Canal Solar Power Project]] uses solar panels to both produce electricity and to prevent evaporation from water canals.

More and more [[Solar power in India|solar power generation]] is becoming available at cheaper cost and it has advantage in terms of environmental impact.<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar power tariffs drops historic low at Rs 2.44 per unit |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/solar-power-tariff-drops-to-historic-low-at-rs-2-44-per-unit/articleshow/58649942.cms|access-date=21 May 2017}}</ref> Solar power can meet daytime and night time energy demands with the help of pumped storage units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/01/3743082/renewables-revolution/|title= Why The Renewables Revolution Is Now Unstoppable|access-date=27 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalmap.gov.au/renewables/#share=s-oDPMo1jDBBtwBNhD|title= Geographic information system showing prospective sites for pumped hydro energy storage in India|access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/11/09/elon-musk-should-build-pumped-hydro-with-tesla-energy-the-boring-co-coal-miners/|title=Elon Musk Should Build Pumped Hydro With Tesla Energy, The Boring Co., & Coal Miners|access-date=27 October 2019}}</ref>

Many of the existing hydro power stations on the west-flowing rivers located in the [[Western Ghats]] of [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]] are to be expanded to include pumped storage units in an effort to solve the water deficit of east-flowing rivers like the [[Kaveri]], the [[Krishna River|Krishna]], etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-readies-plan-to-improve-renewable-power-storage/articleshow/53802021.cms |title= India readies plan to improve renewable power storage|access-date=22 August 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[List of power stations in India|List of hydro power stations in India]]
* [[Electricity sector in India]]
* [[Energy policy of India]]
* [[Pollution of the Ganges]]
* [[Water resources in India]]
* [[Indian Rivers Inter-link]]
* [[Wind power in India]]
* [[Solar power in India]]
* [[Biofuel in India]]
* [[Power sector of Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Renewable energy in India]]
* [[Yarlung Tsangpo Hydroelectric Project]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Energy Ministries and Departments of India}}
{{Renewable energy by country}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hydroelectric Power In India}}
[[Category:Hydroelectricity in India]]

Hydroelectric power in India - Revision history

Subhah Shirin at 23:13, 6 January 2026