Prospects of Small Hydro Power Plant in Hilly Areas

Hydro power is a renewable energy source, which is economical, environmental friendly and pollution free. Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects have the potential to provide electricity in the hilly areas of the world where the power supply is uneconomical and difficult by the grid system. In most cases small hydro power is “run-of-river� with no dam or water storage. This type of power is very cost-effective and environmental friendly technology of power for the hilly and inaccessible regions of the world. Hydro power is considered as the most successful energy among all renewable energy resources. Maximum small hydro power potential is available in hilly and inaccessible areas of the country, where generation from other sources or supply of power upto long distances is not feasible. All hydropower falls in category of clean power, but small hydro power projects provide more contribution as SHPs needed minimum submergence, minimum rehabilitation and minimum environmental impact. Therefore, in Small Hydro Power, there are great opportunities for harnessing hydro energy in hilly areas of the world. In the year 1897, Small Hydro Power Projects was started in India. In India, the first hydro power station was a small hydro power station of capacity 130 KW commissioned at Sidrapong near Darjeeling in West Bengal in 1897.