Hydro power is recognized as a renewable source of energy, which is economical, non-polluting and environmentally benign.

While there has been a continuous increase in the installed capacity of hydro power stations in India, which presently is 29,500 MW, the share of hydro power has been reduced to only 25% in the total installed for power generation from 50.62% in 1963

Ministry of Power in the Government of India is responsible for the development of large hydro power projects in India. Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) has been responsible for small and mini hydro projects up to 3MW station capacity since 1989. The subject of small hydro between 3-25 MW has been assigned to MNES w.e.f. 29th November, 1999. In order to maintain the balance between hydro power and thermal power, Ministry of Power has announced a Policy for accelerated development of hydro power in the country. Development of small hydro power at an accelerated pace is one of the tasks in the Policy.

Small Hydro In India
Potential

Development of Small Hydro Power projects and thrust areas
Small hydro power development is one of the thrust areas of power generation from renewables in the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources. The Ministry is encouraging development of small hydro projects in the State sector as well as through private sector participation in various States. In the last 10-12 years, the capacity of Small hydro projects up to 3 MW has increased 4 fold from 63 MW to 240 MW.

From 1994 onwards, the thrust of SHP programme is to encourage private sector for setting up of commercial SHP projects. 13 potential States have announced their policies for private sector participation in SHP sector. The main thrust areas are nation-wise resource assessment, setting up of commercial SHP projects, renovation and modernization of old SHP projects, development and up-gradation of water mills and industry based research and development

MNES Incentives in Small Hydro Sector
Commercial SHP Projects
Other Activities under SHP Programme

Manufacturing Base in India (click here )
India has a reasonably well-established manufacturing base for the full range and type of small hydro equipment. There are over 8 manufacturers in the country in the field of small hydro manufacturing/ supplying various types of turbines, generators, control equipment, etc.