29% of India’s hydropower potential already utilised

According to information provided to Parliament, India has utilised 29% of its hydropower potential, whereas the US and the EU have produced over 80% and 70% of it, respectively. Power Minister R K Singh stated in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha that the estimated hydropower potential in the nation is approximately 1,45,320 MW (for projects with capacity above 25 MW) according to the Reassessment Study conducted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

According to Singh, out of the 1,45,320 MW total, 42,104.6 MW (or 29%) has been developed, while 15,023.5 MW (10.3%) is now being built. He informed the House that according to data from the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the US and the EU (European Union) have each developed more than 80% of their hydropower potential.

According to him, the country's distant position, uncertain geology, natural disasters, concerns with the environment and forests, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) issues, law and order issues, and inter-state disputes are the key obstacles to the development of its hydropower potential. Singh informed the House in a separate response that as of March 14, 2023, the country's thermal power plants had a total coal stock of 33.3 MT (million tonnes), which is only 49% of the Normative Stock Requirement.

The Central Electricity Authority's coal stocking regulations require power stations to keep a variable amount of coal on hand each month. In order to ensure that there is enough coal stock at power plants to meet demand, it was stated that the stocking norms are 20 to 26 days for non-pithead facilities and 12 to 17 days for pithead plants.