Govt planning special policy to boost hydel generation: Goyal

Mumbai, Feb 12: To boost hydel power generation and resume those small projects in the sector, which have been delayed due to various reasons, the Union Power Ministry is planning to design a special policy, which will also ensure that a new project is announced only after getting necessary approvals are in place.

"There are a number of small hydel projects which have been stuck due to various reasons, including regulatory approvals. Our intent is to get them started soon. "Therefore, we are planning to formulate a special small hydel power policy to remove the hurdles in implementing such projects," Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal told a gathering at the Progressive Maharashtra Summit organised by industry body FICCI on Thursday.

Calling for a radical change in the way, large infra projects are announced, Goyal said it should be ensured that no projects are announced without the necessary approvals and land clearances, and the right of way are in place.

"We have to take a conscious decision before starting new projects. Announcements should be made only after the necessary approvals are in place," he said.

The Modi government has set an ambitious target for renewable energy over the next five years at 3,000 billion units from the present 53 billion. The overall target is to double generation to 2 trillion units.

The government is also working towards reviving large hydro projects including the 1,200-mw Teesta-III project in Sikkim, which is behind schedule by over two years, the 2,000-mw Shubhamsari project in Arunachal Pradesh, which when completed will be the largest hydel plant in the country, and the 400-mw Maheshwar being put up by S Kumar's group in MP.

"Huge investments have gone into these projects which have now been delayed due to regulatory approvals. The Teesta project is of national importance and we have to support it as much as possible. Investments made by investors, contractors and promoters are stuck. We are sure we will be able to come to a conclusion soon. "Besides, we are also in talks with the MP and Andhra governments for the revival of the stuck hydel projects in their states," he said.

PTI