Hydropower Plants in India, Complete List, Names, Projects

Hydropower Plants in India: Hydropower is an important source of clean and affordable energy, generated by the movement of water in rivers and waterfalls. It is popular because it does not produce pollution or waste and relies on natural resources. India has a huge hydropower potential of around 148,700 megawatts. So far, about 28.77% of this potential has been utilized, producing 42,783 megawatts of electricity. 

Another 9.2% is under development, with 13,616 megawatts currently under construction. With more projects underway, hydropower continues to play a key role in India’s renewable energy growth and sustainable power supply.

Hydropower Plants in India

Hydropower is a really affordable and nature-friendly way to make electricity. It uses the power of moving water to generate power, which we call hydroelectricity. This happens when water falls down and makes energy. One cool thing about hydropower is that it doesn't make waste and we can use it over and over again.

Hydropower Plants in India Overview

List Of Hydropower Plants in India

Candidates can go through the complete list of hydropower plants in India from the below table:-

Hydropower Plants in India Advantage

Hydropower plants in India offer several advantages that make them a preferred source of renewable energy. They generate clean electricity without polluting the environment, use a renewable resource i.e., water, and help in flood control, irrigation, and water supply. Below are the advantages of Hydropower plants in India:

• Hydropower uses water's energy, which means it doesn't use up the water itself, making it a sustainable and renewable energy source.
• Unlike power generation from coal or gas, hydropower doesn't need lots of ongoing costs and doesn't use up anything, making it good for the environment.
• Hydropower relies on water instead of fossil fuels, which makes it more reliable and helps avoid money lost from changes in energy supply.
• Hydropower stations can quickly start and stop making electricity, making them great for when there's a big demand for power.
• They work well with other types of power stations, helping make sure all the power sources are used efficiently
• Hydropower is most effective during the summer and monsoon seasons when there's a lot of water, which is also when farming is busiest.
• On the other hand, other types of power stations work best when they're always running, and together with hydropower, they can meet the changing demands for energy throughout the year.

Hydropower Plants in India Disadvantage

Hydropower plants are clean and renewable, but they can disrupt ecosystems, displace people, and be costly to build and maintain. Droughts can also reduce their power output. Below are the  disadvantages of hydropower plants in India:

• Building hydropower plants requires a lot of money upfront.
• These projects are usually in areas with lots of hills and trees, which means cutting down forests and covering up land with water.
• This land change affects animals, plants, and farms.
• Nowadays, it's hard to get these projects going because it takes a long time to get the land and resettlement sorted, and there's not always enough support like power lines and roads.
• Plus, there's not always enough money coming in, and sometimes, there are arguments about the environment and local communities.
• Over the last ten years, India hasn't added much new hydropower, only about 10,000 MW.
• Sometimes, fights between states about who controls the water cause delays. The Subansiri Hydroelectric Project is an example of this.

Hydropower Plants in India Projects

Hydroelectric power is a well-established and widely used form of renewable energy. It harnesses the natural water cycle of the Earth to create electricity. Important Hydropower Plants in India Projects are listed below:

Hydropower Plants in India Facts

1. Koyna Hydroelectric Project: India's largest completed hydroelectric power plant, generating 1960 MW.

2. Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station: First hydroelectric power station in India.

3. Tehri Hydro Electric Power Plant: Highest hydroelectric power project and Tehri Dam is the tallest in India; NTPC took over in 2019.

4. Srisailam Hydro Power Plant: Third-largest working project in India.

5. Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Power Plant: Largest underground hydroelectric power project in India.

6. Sardar Sarovar Dam: World's second-largest concrete dam.