In 2020, hydropower supplied around 17% of global electricity generation, the third-largest source after coal and natural gas. Hydropower provides for almost half of the total low carbon energy around the world due to its highly flexible nature. It also makes a major contribution to the security of electricity systems worldwide. India ranks fifth in the world in terms of usable hydroelectric potential. It is endowed with a large hydropower potential of 1,48,700 MW of which only 29% has been exploited so far (CEA Report) against over 80% and 70% developed by the US and EU respectively. Further, the share of hydropower in the total capacity has declined from 50.36% in the 1960s to around 13% in 2018-19.

Reasons for low share of hydropower in India are as follows:

• Hydropower planning: Planning for hydropower development in India has generally been oriented towards individual projects and not focused on sustainable development of an entire river basin. Also, as water and water power are State subjects, the construction of Hydro Electric Projects is often delayed due to conflicts among riparian States.
  • For instance, Shahpurkandi dam project (over Ravi), Sutlej-Beas link in Punjab and the Ujh Multipurpose Hydro Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir are stuck due to red tape and inter-state disputes.
• Land acquisition: Problems arising in the acquisition of land for hydropower projects are leading to suspension and delays in construction activities.
  • For instance, the 2,880 MW Dibang multipurpose project in Arunachal Pradesh is long- pending since 2008 due to land acquisition issues.
• Safety and rehabilitation issues: Construction and operation of hydropower dams in India have often led to mass protests and public outcry on the issue of safety, environment and rehabilitation, resulting in unusual delays and cost overruns.
  • For example, the Tehri dam was commissioned more than 25 years after rehabilitation and resettlement was started.
• Financing: Financing hydropower projects by finding an optimum balance between bankability and affordability is often a challenge due to capital intensive and long gestational nature as well as weak financial situation of the power distribution sector.
• Geological issues: Handling the unpredictable geology of the young fold Himalayas where most of the Indian hydropower potential resides is a challenge.
• Lack of enabling infrastructure: Development of associated physical infrastructure (roads, bridges) and transmission infrastructure for power evacuation in remote areas such as the North-East region increases the cost of power affecting project viability and sustainability.

In the recent past, the government has approved targeted measures to promote hydropower development in India such as inclusion of large hydro power projects as renewable energy sources, Hydropower Purchase Obligation (HPO) as a separate category in the non-solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO), tariff rationalization measures, budgetary support for funding enabling infrastructure development, etc.