Development of Small Hydro Power in India

Hydro power is known as the source of renewable energy, which is pollution free, economical and environmentally benign. Small and mini hydro power projects have the potential to provide electrical power in inaccessible and mountainous region where supply of power by grid system is uneconomical and difficult. 19% of the total planet’s electricity is provided by the hydro power plants. Small-scale hydro is in most cases “run-of-river�, with no dam or water storage. Small hydro power is most cost-effective and environmental friendly technology of energy for both the hilly and rural areas of the maximum country of the world. Energy produced by the falling water in hydro power plant can provide a high sustainable, non polluting alternative to fossil fuels, along with other types of renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. Among all the sources of renewable energy, small hydropower is considered as one of the most successful energy. Much of small hydro potential is in the remote, hilly and inaccessible regions of India, where generation from other sources or transmission of power up to long distance would not be feasible. In India, the development of Micro, Mini and Small Hydro Power (SHPs) Projects started in the year 1897. In the hilly areas, there are a large number of rivers and canals which provides a bright future in hydro-power energy. All hydropower falls in category of clean energy, but the small hydro power projects provide more significant contribution as SHPs require minimal rehabilitation, submergence and minimal impact to the environment. Therefore in the SHPs, there are more scope for harnessing sustainable hydro energy.