Hydro Power Scenario in Himachal Pradesh :

Major source for power generation in Himachal Pradesh is hydro power followed by other non-conventional sources of energy. In addition, Himachal Pradesh has also share in central sector coal/ gas based thermal power stations and nuclear power generation.

Himachal Pradesh is blessed with significant potential for hydro electricity generation due to thawing of glaciers and frozen lakes. Fed from five mighty snow-fed rivers (Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej & Yamuna) emanating from western Himalayas, state is endowed with a vast hydropower potential of about 18,540 MW (with station installed capacity over 25 MW), which is equivalent to 1/8th of the total hydro power potential assessed in India. Out of this, 52% has been developed and 11 % is in the process of development. State has the largest capacity hydropower station (1500 MW), the largest unit size (250 MW), the largest underground power house cavern and the longest tunnel in operation in the country at Nathpa Jhakri. State also has third highest head hydropower station (Bhava-887m) in operation.

Historical Background of Hydro Power Development in Himachal Pradesh :

Himachal Pradesh has been pioneer states for hydropower development. Two small/mini hydro schemes Jubbal (50 kW) and Bhura Singh/ Chamba (170 kW) were in operation in Pre-Independent India. Unit-1&2 35 kW each & Unit-3 (100 kW) of Chamba were installed in 1904 & 1938 in erstwhile east Punjab. Shimla Hydroelectric Project on Nauti Khad, a tributary of Sutlej was constructed in 1913. Uhl-II/ Shanan (4×12=48 MW) installed in 1932 in erstwhile Punjab also came in Himachal Pradesh during 1966 after reorganization of states. Its units have been up-rated to 15 MW each and an extension unit of 50 MW has also been installed in 1982. However, Shanan has been given on lease to Government of Punjab by Govt of HP.

Survey and investigations of Sutlej were carried out during pre-independence period. As a result, execution of Bhakra Dam Project was taken immediately after Independence. Bhakra Left (after uprating 540 MW) and Bhakra Right (after up-rating 785 MW) projects were commissioned during 1960-68. Bassi (60 MW) and Giri Bata (60 MW) were installed during 1970-1881 and 1978. Pong (396 MW) on Ravi and Dehar (990 MW) on Beas Sutlej link were commissioned during 1977-83. Baira Siul (180 MW), Sanjaya (120 MW) and Chamera-I (540 MW) were commissioned during 1980-1981, 1989 and 1994. Chamera-II (300 MW), Nathpa Jhakri (1500 MW) and Larji (126 MW) were commissioned during the period 2000-2010.

Above projects were executed in central, joint or state sectors. Malana (86 MW) (the first IPP hydro project in HP) and Baspa (300 MW) were also commissioned in private sector during 2000-2010. Malana-II (100 MW), Karcham Wangtoo (1000 MW) (the largest private sector hydro power project in India), Allain Duhangon (192 MW), Budhil (70 MW), Kasang I, II & III (195 MW), Chanju-I (24 MW), Rampur (412 MW) in joint sector and Koldam (800 MW) in central sector were commissioning during 2010-2017. At present total installation in hydro stations in state having individual station capacity over 25 MW has risen to 9693 MW.

Sources of Electrical Energy :

Major sources of electricity in Himachal Pradesh are hydro power plants followed by renewable sources (RES) under Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). The state has also shares from thermal (Coal & Gas) and Nuclear power plants of Central Sector. Total installed capacity of electricity in Himachal Pradesh on 31.08.2017 is 3896.22 MW. 

In addition to above, Himachal Pradesh has micro/ mini/ small hydro power stations in operation and under construction. From above, it is seen that contribution of hydro installation to total installation in the state is 71.8%. Since hydro power is the major source of power in Himachal Pradesh.

Power Supply Position :

In Himachal Pradesh, there has been a shortage in energy by about 1% during August 2017 and April 2017 to August, 2017. However, peak power demands have been met during these periods. 

Agencies for Hydropower Development :

As an organization of power utility, first Electrical Division in HP was formed in August, 1953 under Public Works Department. Subsequently, Multi-purpose Projects & Power (MPP&P) Department was formed in April, 1964 after realizing need for exploiting substantial hydro potential available in rivers. Thereafter, State Electricity Board was formed in 1971 in accordance with the provisions of Electricity Supply Act (1948). Accordingly, functions of MPP&P Department [(generation, execution of hydroelectric projects (excluding flood control & minor irrigation)] were transferred to the Board. Presently, Central Organizations viz. NHPC Limited & NTPC Limited, a Joint Venture Organization viz. SJVNL (earlier NJPCL) and a number of private power entrepreneurs are involved in hydropower development in the State. All census villages have been electrified. Left out hamlet is being covered. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan and UP are also buyers of power from HP.

In addition to above, there are some other private entrepreneurs involved in development of small/mini/micro hydropower projects in H.P. with station installed capacity up to 25 MW.

Hydro Power Potential in Himachal & Status of Development :

As per the study on reassessment of hydroelectric potential in India carried out by Central Electricity Authority during period 1978-1987, total hydro potential in Himachal Pradesh in terms of installed capacity is assessed at 18,540 MW in stations with individual station capacity >25 MW, which is 12.76% of total hydro potential in India.

In addition, 2 pumped storage schemes [Mirja (1800 MW and Renuka (1800 MW)] with an aggregate installed capacity of 3600 MW have also been identified for installation in Himachal Pradesh. These schemes are still under planning stage.

Hydroelectric Stations in Operation :

27 hydro stations (individual station capacity > 25 MW) housing 92 generating units with an aggregate installed capacity 9693 MW are in operation in Himachal Pradesh. Station-wise details are given at Annex-1.

Hydro Power Projects Under Construction :

As on 31.08.2017, following 8 hydropower projects (Station Capacity>25 MW) and remaining second unit of Sainj HEP and third Unit of Chanju –I HEP with an aggregate installed capacity of 1947 MW are under construction in Himachal Pradesh. Station-wise details of these projects are given at Annex-2.

Future Hydroelectric Schemes :

Schemes Concurred by CEA ( Central Electricity Authority ) & Yet to Be Taken up For Construction :

As on 31.08.2017, seven schemes (individual station capacity > 25 MW) aggregating to 1782 MW have been concurred by CEA and are yet to be taken for construction after getting clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forest or other reasons. All of these schemes are to be implemented in private sector. Scheme-wise details of these schemes are given at Annex-3.

Scheme under Examination in CEA :

As on 31st August, 2017, detailed project report (DPR) of one hydroelectric scheme, viz. Luhri Stage-I (2×80 + 2×25 = 210 MW) submitted in CEA by SJVNL for execution in Joint Sector is under examination.

Hydroelectric Schemes under 50,000 MW Initiative :

Under the Programme launched by Prime Minister of India on 25.05.2003 for preparation of Preliminary Feasibility Reports (PFRs) of hydroelectric schemes under 50,000 MW Hydroelectric Initiative, FPRs for 15 schemes with aggregate installed capacity of 3328 MW were prepared for HP. Out of these, PFRs of 13 schemes of 2692 MW were prepared by HPSEB and PFRs of remaining two schemes of 636 MW were prepared by SJVNL. These schemes would be run-of-the river and would have Francis turbine, except Pelton at Tidong-II.

Status of 15 PFRs of aggregate installed capacity of 3328 MW prepared under 50,000 MW Hydroelectric Initiative is given at Annex -6.

Renovation & Modernization, Up-Rating & Life Extension :

For optimization of resources and to tide over the shortage of electricity in country, Renovation & Modernization, Up-rating and Life Extension (RMU&LE) of existing old hydroelectric power projects is considered a cost effective option to ensure efficiency, better availability and also to augment capacity addition.

Conclusion :

Himachal Pradesh is blessed with a large hydroelectric potential of 18540 MW. 52.6 % of this has been developed so far and another 10.2% is under development. Thus, there is a need to accelerate the process of development of the remaining 37% of potential in the state. This would not only help in increasing the electricity availability in the state, but also would be beneficial in supplying the increasing demand of electricity of northern grid as well as the national grid.