Hydropower Projects in India

Image Credit - StudyIQ

What is Hydropower Projects in India?

Hydropower projects in India are projects that harness the power of water to generate electricity. These projects involve the construction of dams, barrages, and powerhouses that allow water to flow through turbines, which in turn generate electricity. Hydropower is one of the most important sources of renewable energy in India, and the country has a number of major hydropower projects.

Some of the notable hydropower projects in India include:

Tehri Dam: The Tehri Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric projects in India, located on the Bhagirathi River in the state of Uttarakhand. It has a capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW).

Sardar Sarovar Dam: The Sardar Sarovar Dam is located on the Narmada River in the state of Gujarat, and has a capacity of 1,450 MW.

Nathpa Jhakri Dam: The Nathpa Jhakri Dam is located on the Satluj River in the state of Himachal Pradesh, and has a capacity of 1,500 MW.

Bhakra Nangal Dam: The Bhakra Nangal Dam is located on the Sutlej River in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and has a capacity of 1,325 MW.

Indira Sagar Dam: The Indira Sagar Dam is located on the Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and has a capacity of 1,000 MW.

These hydropower projects have been instrumental in meeting the energy demands of India and providing electricity to millions of people across the country. However, the construction of hydropower projects has also been controversial due to their impact on the environment and displacement of local communities.

 

Importance of Hydropower Plants in India

Hydropower plants in India are important for meeting the country's growing energy needs, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and promoting sustainable development. Here are 20 reasons why hydropower plants are important in India:

1. Hydropower is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases, contributing to India's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
2. Hydropower provides a stable source of electricity, reducing the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels and reducing the risk of power shortages.
3. Hydropower plants can be used for both electricity generation and irrigation, promoting agriculture and food security.
4. Hydropower plants can be operated flexibly, allowing them to respond quickly to changes in demand and support the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
5. Hydropower plants can also be used for energy storage, allowing excess energy to be stored during times of low demand and used during peak demand periods.
6. Hydropower projects can create jobs and promote economic development in remote and rural areas.
7. Hydropower projects can also provide opportunities for local communities to participate in decision-making processes and benefit from the development of natural resources.
8. Hydropower plants can help reduce the cost of electricity, making it more affordable for households and businesses.
9. Hydropower plants can also help reduce the need for expensive transmission infrastructure, reducing the overall cost of the electricity system.
10. Hydropower plants can reduce the environmental impact of energy production by reducing the need for fossil fuel-based power plants.
11. Hydropower projects can help regulate river flow and reduce the risk of floods, providing greater protection to downstream communities.
12. Hydropower plants can also help mitigate the impacts of droughts by providing water for irrigation and other uses.
13. Hydropower projects can also help improve water quality by reducing sedimentation and erosion.
14. Hydropower projects can promote tourism and recreational activities, contributing to local economies.
15. Hydropower projects can also support research and development in renewable energy technologies and promote innovation.
16. Hydropower projects can contribute to the diversification of energy sources, reducing the risk of supply disruptions.
17. Hydropower plants can also help improve energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
18. Hydropower projects can also promote regional cooperation and support the development of international energy markets.
19. Hydropower projects can provide a reliable source of energy in areas with limited access to grid electricity, supporting rural electrification.
20. Hydropower projects can also support the achievement of sustainable development goals related to energy access, climate action, and water resources management.

Some of the important hydropower plants in India include:

Tehri Dam	Sardar Sarovar Dam	Nathpa Jhakri Dam	Bhakra Nangal Dam
Indira Sagar Dam	Koyna Dam	Hirakud Dam	Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Mettur Dam	Ukai Dam	Idukki Dam	Chamera Dam
Omkareshwar Dam	Rihand Dam	Tungabhadra Dam	Sharavathi Dam
Bhavanisagar Dam	Dhauliganga Dam	Srisailam Dam	Doyang Hydroelectric Project

 

Top 50 Hydropower Plants in India / Top 30 Hydropower Plants in India / Top 20 Hydropower Plants in India / Top 10 Hydropower Plants in India / Top 5 Hydropower Plants in India 

here are the years when each of the top 50 hydropower plants in India were commissioned:

SN	Name of Dam	State Name	Relative River	Total Power generation Capacity	Commission Year
Top 5 Dams In India
1.	Sardar Sarovar Dam	Gujarat	Narmada River	1,450 MW	2017
2.	Nagarjuna Sagar Dam	Telangana/Andhra Pradesh	Krishna River	816 MW	1967
3.	Indira Sagar Dam	Madhya Pradesh	Narmada River	1,000 MW	2005
4.	Tehri Dam	Uttarakhand	Bhagirathi River	1,000 MW	2006
5.	Koyna Hydroelectric Project	Maharashtra	Koyna River	1,960 MW	1963
Top 10 Dams in India
6.	Srisailam Dam	Andhra Pradesh	Krishna River	1,670 MW	1980
7.	Bhakra Dam	Himachal Pradesh	Sutlej River	1,325 MW	1963
8.	Hirakud Dam	Odisha	Mahanadi River	307.5 MW	1957
9.	Tungabhadra Dam	Karnataka/Andhra Pradesh	Tungabhadra River	147 MW	1953
10.	Nathpa Jhakri Dam	Himachal Pradesh	Satluj River	1,500 MW	2004
Top 20 Dams in India
11.	Rihand Dam	Uttar Pradesh	Rihand River	300 MW	1962
12.	Dhauliganga Dam	Uttarakhand	Dhauliganga River	280 MW	2005
13.	Chamera Dam	Himachal Pradesh	Ravi River	540 MW	1994
14.	Ukai Dam	Gujarat	Tapi River	1,350 MW	1972
15.	Uri Dam	Jammu and Kashmir	Jhelum River	480 MW	2014
16.	Idukki Dam	Kerala	Periyar River	780 MW	1975
17.	Mettur Dam	Tamil Nadu	Cauvery River	240 MW	1958
18.	Kakrapar Dam	Gujarat	Tapti River	104 MW	1999
19.	Bhavanisagar Dam	Tamil Nadu	Bhavani River	32 MW	1955
20.	Maniyar Dam	Uttarakhand	Maniyar River	90 MW	1978
Top 30 Dams in India
21.	Panchet Dam	West Bengal	Damodar River	135 MW	1959
22.	Ranjit Sagar Dam	Punjab	Ravi River	600 MW	2000
23.	Salal Dam	Jammu and Kashmir	Chenab River	690 MW	1987
24.	Kundah Hydroelectric Project	Tamil Nadu	Kundah River	960 MW	1971
25.	Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project	Odisha	Indravati River	600 MW	1999
26.	Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project	Kerala	Pamba River	300 MW	1966
27.	Sileru Barrage	Andhra Pradesh	Sileru River	240 MW	1968
28.	Sardar Sarovar Nigam Power Station	Gujarat	Narmada River	1,450 MW	2017
29.	Teesta Low Dam I Hydroelectric Project	West Bengal	Teesta River	132 MW	1994
30.	Chutak Hydroelectric Project	Jammu and Kashmir	Suru River	44 MW	2011
Top 50 Dams in India
31.	Rongtong Hydroelectric Project	Sikkim	Rangpo River	96 MW	2016
32.	Baira Siul Hydroelectric Project	Himachal Pradesh	Baira Siul River	180 MW	2013
33.	Uri-II Hydroelectric Project	Jammu and Kashmir	Jhelum River	240 MW	2019
34.	Teesta Low Dam-IV Hydroelectric Power Project	West Bengal	Teesta River	132 MW	2016
35.	Ranganadi Dam	Arunachal Pradesh	Ranganadi River	405 MW	2001
36.	Loktak Hydroelectric Power Project	Manipur	Manipur River	105 MW	1983
37.	Seli Hydroelectric Project	Sikkim	Rangit River	120 MW	2014
38.	Teesta-V Hydroelectric Project	Sikkim	Teesta River	510 MW	2022
39.	Baglihar Dam	Jammu and Kashmir	Chenab River	900 MW	2008
40.	Nathpa Jhakri Dam	Himachal Pradesh	Sutlej River	1,500 MW	2003
41.	Parbati Hydroelectric Project	Himachal Pradesh	Parbati River	1,500 MW	2014
42.	Tala Hydroelectric Power Station	Bhutan/ West Bengal	Wangchu River	1,020 MW	2006
43.	Upper Indravati Hydroelectric Project	Odisha	Indravati River	600 MW	2015
44.	Tanakpur Dam	Uttarakhand	Sharda River	120 MW	1993
45.	Lower Jurala Hydroelectric Project	Telangana	Krishna River	234 MW	1995
46.	Idukki Dam	Kerala	Periyar River	780 MW	1976
47.	Kopili Hydroelectric Plant	Assam	Kopili River	275 MW	2007
48.	Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant	Himachal Pradesh	Sutlej River	1,000 MW	2011
49.	Kurichu Hydroelectric Plant	Bhutan/Assam	Kurichu River	60 MW	2001
50.	Teesta III Hydroelectric Project	Sikkim	Teesta River	1,200 MW	2018

 

Which is the largest hydropower project in India?

The largest hydropower project in India is the Sardar Sarovar Dam, located on the Narmada River in the state of Gujarat. It has a capacity of 1,450 MW and is one of the largest concrete gravity dams in the world.

 

Which state produces highest hydropower in India? / What are the top 3 hydroelectricity producing states? / What are the top 5 hydroelectricity producing states?

The state that produces the highest hydropower in India is Himachal Pradesh. Here are the top five states in India in terms of hydropower generation capacity:

1. Himachal Pradesh: With a total hydropower capacity of 10,547 MW, Himachal Pradesh is the leading state in India for hydropower generation.
2. Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand has a total hydropower capacity of 4,500 MW, making it the second largest hydropower producing state in India.
3. Arunachal Pradesh: With a total hydropower capacity of 4,060 MW, Arunachal Pradesh is the third largest hydropower producing state in India.
4. Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir has a total hydropower capacity of 3,084 MW, making it the fourth largest hydropower producing state in India.
5. Karnataka: Karnataka has a total hydropower capacity of 2,825 MW, making it the fifth largest hydropower producing state in India.

 

Which is the first hydropower project in India?

The first hydropower project in India is the Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power Plant, which was established in 1902 in the state of Karnataka. The project was initiated by the then British Government, and the construction of the plant began in 1900.

The Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power Plant is located on the banks of the Kaveri River near the town of Shivanasamudra in the Mandya district of Karnataka. The plant is situated on a steep slope, which allowed for the use of a natural waterfall to generate power.

The project originally consisted of two 50 kW generators, which were installed to provide power to the nearby Kolar Gold Fields. The plant was later expanded in 1910 with the addition of two 3 MW generators, which increased the plant's capacity to 6 MW.

The power generated by the Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power Plant was initially used for lighting the Kolar Gold Fields, and later for the Bangalore city's electrification. It was an important milestone in India's energy sector and marked the beginning of India's journey towards harnessing hydropower for electricity generation.

Today, the Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power Plant continues to operate and has a total installed capacity of 17 MW. The plant uses the water from the Kaveri River to generate power, and the power generated is supplied to the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL). The plant also serves as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors to the picturesque waterfall and the historic power station.

 

Which is the largest hydroelectric power project?

The largest hydroelectric power project in the world is the Three Gorges Dam, located on the Yangtze River in China. The dam has an installed capacity of 22,500 MW and generates an average annual energy output of about 100 TWh. The construction of the dam was completed in 2012, and it is considered one of the engineering marvels of the 21st century. The dam has also been controversial due to its impact on the environment and displacement of people living in the area.

 

What is the rank of India in hydropower?

India is ranked as the 5th largest producer of hydropower in the world. According to the International Hydropower Association's (IHA) 2021 Hydropower Status Report, India has an installed hydropower capacity of 50,134 MW as of 2020.

The country has a significant potential for further development of hydropower, particularly in the north-eastern states and the Himalayan region, which are yet to be fully explored. The Government of India has set a target of achieving 60,000 MW of hydropower capacity by 2030 as part of its efforts to increase the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix.

 

Which is the second largest hydro power plant in India?

The second largest hydro power plant in India is the Koyna Hydroelectric Project, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. The project is situated on the Koyna River, a tributary of the Krishna River, and has an installed capacity of 1,960 MW.

The project was commissioned in 1963 and is operated by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board. The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is a complex of four dams, which together create a large reservoir that provides the water needed to generate electricity.

The project is a major source of electricity for the state of Maharashtra and is also an important tourist attraction, with visitors attracted to the scenic beauty of the surrounding Western Ghats.

 

Which is the largest hydro project in HP?

The largest hydro project in Himachal Pradesh is the Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Power Station, located on the Satluj River in the Kinnaur district. The project has an installed capacity of 1,500 MW and was commissioned in 2003. It is jointly owned by the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and the Government of India.

The Nathpa Jhakri project is one of the largest underground hydroelectric power stations in Asia and supplies electricity to several northern Indian states.

 

Which is Asia's first hydel project?

Asia's first hydel project is the Sidrapong Hydel Power Station, located in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. The project was commissioned in 1897 and has an installed capacity of 1.5 MW. It was built by the British colonial government to supply electricity to the town of Darjeeling, which was a popular hill station for British residents in India.

The project was initially operated by the Darjeeling Municipality and was later taken over by the West Bengal State Electricity Board after India's independence in 1947. The Sidrapong Hydel Power Station is considered a historic landmark in India's energy sector and a symbol of the country's early efforts to harness the power of water for electricity generation.

 

Who built the first hydroelectric power dam in India?

The first hydroelectric power dam in India was built by the British engineer, Thomas Highs, in 1897. The dam, known as the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station, is located in Darjeeling district of West Bengal and has an installed capacity of 1.5 MW.

The project was initiated by the British colonial government to supply electricity to the town of Darjeeling, which was a popular hill station for British residents in India. The Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station is considered a landmark in India's energy sector and a symbol of the country's early efforts to harness the power of water for electricity generation.

 

Who are the five largest producers of hydropower?

The five largest producers of hydropower in the world, based on installed capacity, are:

1. China - 368 GW
2. Brazil - 109 GW
3. Canada - 82 GW
4. United States - 80 GW
5. Russia - 53 GW

These five countries together account for more than 50% of the world's installed hydropower capacity. Other countries with significant hydropower capacity include Norway, India, Japan, Sweden, and France. Hydropower is a key source of renewable energy and plays an important role in meeting the electricity demand of many countries.

What is the largest dam on earth?

The largest dam on earth, in terms of volume of construction material, is the Jinping-I Dam, located in southwestern China. The Jinping-I Dam has a height of 305 meters (1,001 feet) and was completed in 2013. It is a part of the Jinping-I hydropower station, which has an installed capacity of 3,600 MW and is one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world.

The dam is constructed of 27.2 million cubic meters of concrete, making it the largest concrete dam in the world by volume. The Jinping-I Dam is an impressive feat of engineering and is a significant source of renewable energy for China.

 

Which country is famous for hydropower?

Several countries are well-known for their use and development of hydropower, including:

1. China - China has the largest installed capacity of hydropower in the world, with over 350 GW.
2. Brazil - Brazil is the second-largest producer of hydropower in the world, with over 100 GW of installed capacity.
3. Canada - Canada is a significant producer of hydropower, with over 80 GW of installed capacity.
4. United States - The United States has over 80 GW of installed hydropower capacity, and hydropower is an important source of renewable energy in several regions of the country.
5. Norway - Norway generates almost all of its electricity from hydropower and is a world leader in the development of hydroelectric technology.

Other countries with significant hydropower resources and capacity include Russia, India, Japan, Sweden, and France. Hydropower is a popular source of renewable energy around the world, particularly in regions with ample water resources and mountainous terrain.

 

Which state in India has best electricity supply?

As of 2021, the southern state of Tamil Nadu has the best electricity supply in India, with a peak demand met of 14,257 MW and an average energy availability of 23.4 hours per day.

 

Which is the smallest dam in India?

The smallest dam in India is the Vandalur Reservoir, also known as the Vandalur Lake, located in the Chennai Metropolitan Area of Tamil Nadu. It has a capacity of 0.05 million cubic meters and was built in the 1970s to supply water to the nearby wildlife reserve.

 

Who is the father of hydropower? / Who is the father of hydroelectricity?

The father of hydropower is often considered to be the Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. Tesla made significant contributions to the development of hydroelectric power, including designing the first hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls in the United States in 1895, which revolutionized the use of hydropower for electricity generation.

Tesla's innovative ideas and inventions laid the foundation for the development of modern hydroelectric technology and paved the way for the widespread use of renewable energy around the world.

 

Which dam is longest in India?

The Hirakud Dam, located in the state of Odisha, is the longest dam in India. It is built across the Mahanadi River and stretches for a length of 4.8 kilometers (3 miles). The Hirakud Dam was completed in 1957 and is a multipurpose dam that serves irrigation, flood control, and power generation purposes. It has a maximum height of 61 meters (200 feet) and a capacity of 5.8 billion cubic meters of water.