Hydro power generation to go up on good monsoon: Govt

The government today expressed confidence that hydro power generation may go up this year on the account of good monsoons.
"Hydro power (generation) will certainly go up... The rains have been quite good this year and I am quite confident that we would see quite good hydro power generation," Power Minister Piyush Goyal said.
He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of MoU signing ceremony between NTPC, NHPC and Himachal Pradesh to set up a hydro engineering college in the state.
"We had a shortage in the last two years because of drought but this time...Hopefully hydropower generation will be at its best," he said.

NTPC and NHPC are committed to contributing Rs 37.50 crore each (total Rs 75 crore) in the first tranche for setting up of college. They will also consider releasing Rs 12.5 crore each (total 25 crore) in the second tranche.
Both the state-owned power generating firms will also contribute Rs 2.5 crore each per year for five years towards operating expenses.

Country's hydro power generation from April 1-July 25 in the current fiscal was at 42.64 billion units, short by 5.72 per cent of the target.
Hydro power generation has been above the targetted level in northern and north eastern regions.

The government had earlier said that it is preparing a new framework to boost hydropower development in the country by lowering the cost and removal of long-drawn clearances.