Govt expects to commission 6,201-MW hydro power capacity

The government is expected to commission hydro power capacity of 6,201 MW in the 11th Five- Year Plan period, lower than the target of 8,237 MW, the Parliament was informed today.

The commissioning of 2,036 MW hydro power capacity is being delayed due to many factors, including land acquisition problems and geological surprises.

"A hydro capacity of 4,710 MW has been commissioned so far, as against the mid-term review target of 8,237 MW for the 11th Plan [2007-12]. Another hydro capacity of 1,491 MW is likely to be commissioned during the remaining [part] of the current financial year," Minister of State for Power KC Venugopal said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The country is projected to have a hydro power capacity of 6,201 MW in the current plan period.

"The major reasons for delay in commissioning of balance hydro capacity of 2,036 MW are land acquisition problems, resettlement and rehabilitation problems, law and order problems, geological surprises during the construction phase...," Venugopal said.

State-run NHPC's projects, having a total capacity of 857 MW, have been delayed due to issues such as flash floods and work interruptions. These projects are spread across West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

In the state sector, hydro power projects having a capacity of 1,099 MW have been delayed.