Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Hydropower Country Notes

India

India's gross theoretical hydropower potential (2 638 TWh/yr) and echnically feasible potential (660 TWh/yr) are amongst the highest in the world. The public utilities' total installed hydroelectric capacity exceeded 32 000 MW at the end of 2005, with a corresponding generation of 97.4 TWh, equivalent to 16% of India's public sector electricity generation.

The Indian WEC Member Committee reports that about 13 GW of hydro capacity was under construction at end-2005 and that a further 9 GW is planned.

The largest hydro plants currently under construction are Subansiri Lower
(2 000 MW), Parbati II (800 MW) and Omkareshwar (520 MW). Teesta V (510 MW) is expected to be completed during 2007.

Numerous other hydro projects are under way or at the planning stage. In addition, 55 hydro schemes have been designated as suitable for renovation and upgrading, which could eventually result in an increment of some 2 500 MW to India's generating capacity.

Hydropower & Dams World Atlas reports that there are 420 small-scale hydro plants in operation, with an aggregate installed capacity of about 1 423 MW; a further 521 MW of small-scale capacity is under construction.