Inclusion of Large Hydro Power Projects Under the Ambit of Renewable Energy

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is examining the prospects of including all hydro power projects under Renewable Energy Sector. Hydro power can be called renewable energy because it uses water for generation of electricity without any consumption and leaves this vital resource available for other uses.

The norms of Small Hydro Power Projects (SHP) differ from country to country. In some countries station capacity with more than 25 MW is classified as SHP, example- Brazil -30 MW, Canada-50 MW, China- 50 MW, Pakistan- 50 MW, Vietnam- 30MW and Eastern Europe / Russian countries - 30 MW. The implementation of Hydro Power up to 25 MW station capacity was brought under the ambit of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy from Ministry of Power during 1999.

Government has set the target to reach 175 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2022 which includes 5 GW from Small Hydro (up to 25 MW station capacity). So far larger hydro plants are not considered as Renewable Energy. In case of large hydro capacity (above 25MW) being added to the renewable category, India's Renewable Energy capacity could reach 225MW.

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