Small Hydro Power Programme

Hydro Power Project Classification                               

Hydro power projects are generally categorized in two segments i.e. small and large hydro. In India, hydro projects up to 25 MW station capacity have been categorized as Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects.  While Ministry of Power, Government of India is responsible for large hydro projects, the mandate for the subject small hydro power (up to 25 MW) is given to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.Small hydro power projects are further classified as

Aim:    The Ministry’s aim is that the SHP installed capacity should be about 6000 MW by the end of 12th Plan. The focus of the SHP programme is to lower the cost of equipment, increase its reliability and set up projects in areas which give the maximum advantage in terms of capacity utilisation.

Potential: An estimated potential of about 15,000 MW of small hydro power projects exists in India. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has created a database of potential sites of small hydro and 5718 potential sites with an aggregate capacity of 15384 MW for projects up to 25 MW capacity have been identified.

Identification of new potential sites and strengthening of database for already identified sites is an ongoing process. In this direction, the Ministry has been giving financial support to state governments/ agencies for identification of new potential SHP sites & preparation of state perspective plan.

            The total installed capacity of small hydro power projects (upto 25 MW) as on 31.01.2011 is 2953 MW from 801 projects and 271 projects with aggregate capacity of 914 MW are under construction. 

            While in early 90s, most of the SHP projects were set up in the public sector, from last 10 years or so, most of the capacity addition is now coming through private sector projects.  Beginning of the 21^st century saw near commercialization in the small hydro sector.  Private sector entrepreneurs found attractive business opportunities in small hydro and state governments also felt that the private participation may be necessary in tapping the full potential of rivers and canals for power generation. The private sector has been attracted by these projects due to their small adoptable capacity matching with their captive requirements or even as affordable investment opportunities. In line with Government of India policy, 18 states have announced their policy for inviting private sector to set up SHP projects. The Government of India announced the Electricity Act in 2003, Electricity Policy in 2005 and Tariff Policy in 2006 to create a conducive atmosphere for investments in the power sector.  Small hydropower projects are now governed by these policies and the tariff is decided by the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) as per the Tariff Policy. 

During the 10th Plan, Following have been year-wise capacity addition from SHP      projects.

 A target of adding 1400 MW during the 11th Plan (2007-2012) Fixed.

During last 3 Years following has been the achievements.

  Standards for Small Hydro

             In order to ensure project quality/performance, the MNRE  has been insisting to adhere to IEC/International standards for equipment and civil works. The subsidy available from the Ministry is linked to use of equipment manufactured to IEC or other prescribed international standards. The equipment in the project is required to confirm to the following IEC standards.

Scheme for SHP (upto 25 MW)      

            Recently the Ministry has given an assignment to AHEC, IIT Roorkee to revisit the existing standards and come out with standards/manuals/guidelines for improving reliability and quality of small hydro power projects in the country. 

States with Policy for Private SHP Projects

            23 States namely, Andhra Pradehsh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh,Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have announced policies for setting up commercial SHP projects through private sector participation. The facilities available in the States include wheeling of power produced, banking, buy-back of power, facility for third party sale, etc. 

            For detailed policy please see website of the respective State.

 Private Sector SHP project

(as on 31.12.2010) 

                               Water wheels, commonly    known as `gharats', have traditionally been used in the Himalayan regions for rice hulling, milling of grain and other mechanical applications. These water mills are normally of very old design and work at very low efficiencies. It has been estimated  that  there are more than 1.5  lakh potential water mill sites in the country. New and improved designs of water mills have been developed for mechanical as well as electricity generation of 3-5 kW.

            The Ministry is  providing subsidy for  development and upgradation  of  water mills.   Local organizations such as the Water Mill Associations,  cooperative  societies, registered NGOs, local bodies, and State Nodal Agencies are being encouraged to take up these activities. A number of NGOs are now propagating water mills for electricity generation to meet small scale electrical requirements of villages. Uttaranchal has taken a lead in setting up electricity generation watermills  and over 450 such watermills were installed in remote and isolated areas of the state. Nagaland has recently commenced setting up watermills/micro hydel sets for rural electrification.  Watermills are also being installed in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Karnataka and Manipur.

            Scheme for watermills and Micro Hydel Projects (upto 100 kW)        

Manufacturing Status

              India has a wide base of manufacturers of equipment for small hydro power projects.  State-of-the-art equipment is available indigenously.  20 manufacturers fabricate almost the entire range and type of SHP equipment.  Manufacturers capacity is estimated at about 300 MW per year.  In addition, there are about 5 manufactures that are producing   micro hydel   and watermill equipment.

             List of SHP equipment manufacturers

 Technical and consultation Services

            Consultancy services in the field of small hydro projects are available from a number of Government / private consultancy organizations.  The Ministry is strengthening technical institutions to provide such services.  AHEC, IIT Roorkee is providing full range of technical services in the field of small hydro including survey and investigation, DPR preparation, project design etc. On site testing facility has been created at AHEC to test SHP stations for their performance.  For testing facilities please see AHEC website : www.ahec.org.in

Real Time Digital Simulator for SHP

             A Real Time simulator has been set up at AHEC which would provide hands on experience to operators of SHP stations. It is the first SHP simulator in the country. The simulator is capable of replicate all conditions of a hydro power station. AHEC is offering regular training programmes for operators and engineers of SHP stations.  For details of simulator and training programmes please see AHEC website: www.ahec.org.in