Question : SURVEY OF HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER POTENTIAL

(a) whether complete survey of Hydro electric power potential in the country has been done;

(b) if so, the latest Hydro electric power potential, State-wise;

(c) the extent to which this potential have been tapped for commissioning/generation of Hydro electric power;

(d) the details of on-going projects cost of each project and cost per unit in each project;

(e) whether any target has been fixed to tap the rest of sources;

(f) whether private investors have been attracted for the purpose; and
(g) if so, the details thereof and the future prospects of private sector including FDI in this sector?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )

(a) to (c): According to the `Re-assessment of Hydro Electric Power Potential` of the country carried out by Central Electricity Authority during 1978-87, the HE Potential of medium/major schemes in the country have been assessed as 84,044 MW at 60% load factor. As on 1.7.2000, HE Schemes with a potential of 13635.10 MW at 60% load factor have already been developed. State-wise status of hydroelectric potential development is given in Annex-I.

(d): Details of sanctioned/ongoing hydroelectric projects alongwith latest estimated cost and the cost per MW for each project are at Annex-II.

(e): The hydro capacity addition of 9819.7 MW was fixed for the 9th Plan.

(f) & (g): With a view to develop the untapped hydroelectric potential in the country, Government announced a policy on Hydro Power Development in August, 1998 which seeks to encourage greater participation by private entrepreneurs and to create the financial administrative and legal environment to encourage massive investments. Till date, 13 Nos. HE projects with an aggregate installed capacity of 4328 MW have been accorded `in principle` clearance. As a result, 5 HE projects namely Maheshwar [400 MW]; Baspa-II [300 MW]; Vishnuprayag [400 MW]; Malana [86 MW] and Srinagar [330 MW] have been technoeconomically cleared by Central Electricity Authority and projects taken up for execution. The future prospect of private including FDI in hydro development appears encouraging.