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Renewable status for large hydro power projects
The Union Cabinet approved a new hydroelectric policy aimed at boosting the hydro power generation.
- The Union Cabinet approved a new hydroelectric policy aimed at boosting the hydro power generation.
- The policy also accorded the status of renewable energy projects to large hydro projects.
More in the news
- Earlier, hydro projects up to 25 MW capacity were considered as renewables and were eligible for various incentives like financial assistance and cheaper credit.
- With the government's decision, hydro projects above 25 MW can also avail the benefits.
- India is aiming 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. With addition of large hydro to clean energy segment, India is poised to have 225 GW of renewable energy by 2022.
- India has a hydro-power potential of 1,45,320 MW, of which only about 45,400 MW has been utilised so far.
- Only about 10,000 MW of hydro-power has been added in the last 10 years.
- The share of hydro-power in the total generation capacity has declined from 50.36% in the 1960s to around 13% in 2018-19.Government Data:
- More About the Policy:
- Large hydro projects(LHPs) will be included as a separate category under the non-solar renewable purchase obligation policy.
- Under this policy, power purchasers will have to source a portion of electricity from large hydro projects.
- New policy had increased the debt repayment period for hydro projects to 18 years from the current 12 years with the provision to introduce an escalating tariff of 2%.
- LHPs would now be able to sell renewable energy certificates under non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) to discoms.
- The policy also provides for additional funds separately for infrastructure development as well as separate funds for the costs of flood moderation.
- The budgetary support for infrastructure creation will be limited to ₹1.5 crore per MW for projects up to 200 MW and ₹1 crore per MW for those above 200 MW.
Source
he Hindu, ET.