Small Hydro In India

OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDER SHP PROGRAMME
Renovation and Modernisation of SHP Projects
MNES has a scheme for providing financial assistance for renovation and modernisation (R&M) and capacity up rating of Small Hydro Power Stations. Under this Scheme, financial assistance is provided up to 75% of the R&M cost or Rs.2 crores per MW, whichever is lower, to the utilities in Government sector/ Public sector. The R&M scheme has been extended to cover SHP projects up to 15 MW with a maximum support of Rs. 10 crores per project. The main aim of the scheme is to extend the life of these stations with improved performance and reliability. The Ministry has approved grant for renovation of Jali(6x350KW) and Rongnichu II(5x500KW) SHP projects in Sikkim, Rinchington (2X1000 KW) and Little Ranjit (2X1000 KW) in West Bengal and Nogli (2X250+ 4X500 KW), Chaba (3x250 + 2x500 KW), Chakki (2X100 KW), Rukti, Rongtong in Himachal Pradesh and Dzuza (3X500 KW) in Nagaland. The renovation work in these projects has already started and is likely to be completed by the next year. Joint team visits were held during the year to 10 SHP projects in West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Bihar to assess the R&M requirements in the projects. These projects are under consideration for support under the R&M scheme.

Portable Micro Hydel Sets
In order to promote decentralized electricity generation and for meeting electricity requirements of small communities and villages, the Ministry launched a pilot scheme to set up 50 portable micro hydel sets upto 15 KW capacity. These sets were given to 7 States for installation, operation and evaluation. 41 sets have so far been installed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, J&K, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. These sets are providing electricity to unelectrified villages and are being maintained by local communities. The sets have received a very good response.

Development / Upgradation of Water Mills
The Ministry has announced a Promotional Incentive Scheme for Development/ upgradation of Water Mills popularly known as ‘gharats’. As per the scheme Ministry is providing financial support of Rs.30,000 or 75% of actual cost, in mechanical mode and Rs.60,000 or 75% of actual cost in electro-mechanical mode. The scheme is being operated through local organizations such as the Water Mills Associations, cooperative societies, registered NGOs, local bodies, and State Nodal Agencies.

Under the UNDP-GEF Hilly Hydro Project implemented by the Ministry two types of improved water mills, one for mechanical output and are other for mechanical plus electrical outputs have been designed and developed by Alternate Hydro Energy Centre, University of Roorkee. So far 140 demonstration water mills have been installed.