This editorial analysis sheds light on the profound impact of hydropower projects in India, digging deep into the controversies surrounding their environmental ramifications, while also highlighting the potential of sustainable infrastructures. It calls for a balanced approach that marries the energy needs of the nation with environmental safeguards and societal well-being.
Evolution Of Hydropower In India
Hydropower In India: The Early Years
- In 1947, India’s hydropower capacity comprised 37% of the total power capacity and contributed to over 53% of the nation’s power generation.
Transition to Coal-Based Power
- By the late 1960s, coal-based power began to replace hydropower in India, causing a significant decrease in hydropower’s share in capacity and generation.
Hydropower Capacity in Recent Years
- As of August 2023, India’s hydropower capacity stands at about 46,865 MW, accounting for approximately 11% of the total power generation capacity.
- In the fiscal year 2022-23, hydropower contributed to 12.5% of the total power generation in India.
The State of Pumped Storage Capacity in India
- India had around 4745.6 MW of operational pumped storage capacity in 2023.
- Additionally, there were about 57,345 MW of pumped storage capacity in various stages of investigation and construction.
Simplified Overview Of Hydropower And Pumped Storage Capacity
- Hydropower is the largest renewable energy source worldwide, producing more than two-thirds of all renewable electricity.
- In 2021, the global hydropower capacity was increased by 26 GW to reach 1360 GW.
- This led to the generation of 4,250 TWh of clean electricity, surpassing the total power usage of the European Union and all other renewable sources combined.
- However, this growth is inadequate to meet the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) net-zero targets by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
- The IEA recommends an annual increase of 45 GW to achieve these goals, or 30 GW for a 2°C rise.
- China was the largest contributor in 2021, installing 80% of new hydropower capacity.
- Pumped storage hydropower saw significant growth, with an addition of 4.7 GW to the grid, three times the figure from 2020.
- Hydropower capacity grew by 1.9% in 2021, aligning closely with the 2% annual growth required by the Paris Agreement.
Environmental And Social Impact Of Large Storage Hydro-Power Projects
- Large storage hydro-power projects provide low-carbon electricity.
- However, they come with significant environmental and social costs.
- These projects can displace thousands of people.
- They can disrupt river ecology and cause large-scale deforestation.
- Loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity is another negative impact.
- Food systems, water quality, and agriculture can be negatively affected.
- These costs have led to dam removals in North America and Europe.
- Dam construction is slowing in developing countries as well.
- The best sites are already utilised and other renewable energy sources are gaining attention.
- Solar and wind energy are drawing more policy attention and investment.
Risks And Repercussions Of Hydro-Power Projects In The Himalayan Region
- Hydro-power projects are abundant in India’s Himalayan mountains.
- These regions face high-risk levels due to natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
- February 2021 witnessed sudden floods in the rivers of Dhauliganga, Rishiganga, and Alaknanda in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
- These floods resulted in heavy casualties and extensive damage to numerous hydro-power projects.
- The cause of recent flash floods, including in Sikkim, remains disputed, with theories ranging from glacier crashes, and avalanches to landslides.
- However, there’s a common consensus that the scale of loss was magnified due to the execution of development projects, including hydropower projects.
Sustainable Hydropower: A Path Forward
- Many project developers often ignore environmental concerns.
- Monitoring and enforcement by regulatory bodies are lacking.
- This does not imply that India should abandon hydropower projects.
- Some hydropower projects in India meet international standards.
- One example is the Teesta-V hydropower station in Sikkim.
- Its 510 MW power station is owned and operated by NHPC Limited.
- It met or exceeded all 20 performance criteria for hydropower sustainability in 2019.
- To make hydropower sustainable in India, the government and industry must prioritise transparency.
- This involves engaging with civil society, especially those directly affected by projects.
- Research indicates that combining wind, solar, and hydropower in modular solutions is environmentally, socially, and financially beneficial.
- Instream turbine parks are less disruptive than dams and more cost-effective.
- Large ‘smart’ hydropower projects can be developed considering the economic, environmental, and social concerns of local and downstream communities.
Note: This editorial analysis is based on the article “Hydropower in India: An update”, originally published on the ORF.