Consultative Committee on Power meets to discuss nation's hydro power development

New Delhi, Feb.17 (ANI): The Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament for Power met today in New Delhi to discuss hydro power development in the country with special reference to 11th Plan target.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde presided over the meeting as its chairman.

The meeting called for accelerated growth in hydropower in view of a huge potential yet to be tapped.

Bharatsinh Solanki, Minister of State for Power, was also present.

Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Dr. Baliram, Ramkishun, Kailash Joshi, Maheshwar Hazari, Om Prakash Yadav, Bhudeo Choudhary, Nama Nageswara Rao, K. Bapi Raju, S.R. Jeyadurai, Bajuban Riyan, Meena Singh, Mahabali Singh and Anurag Singh Thakur were among the members who participated in the discussion.

They also gave some valuable suggestions to accelerate hydro power development.

As per the re-assessment of hydro electric potential carried out by CEA, the hydro potential of the country identified in terms of installed capacity is 148701 MW out of which 145320 MW is from the schemes having installed capacity above 25 MW.

The installed hydro generating capacity (with station capacity above 25 MW) including pumped storage schemes in the country is 36885.4 MW (as on 31.12.2009). This does not include small hydro capacity in respect of hydro power plants having installed generating capacity of up to 25 MW which is the mandate of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

During 11th Plan, 15627 MW of hydro capacity has been planned to be added. Further, a tentative list of 20334 MW of hydro projects has been prepared for benefits during 12th Plan. (ANI)