Hydroelectric power is the most efficient source of energy, compared to coal, gas or nuclear, and those based on the so-called ‘environment friendly’ and sustainable sources like solar and wind. If proper care is taken during the planning stage (it has become established practice now), there will virtually no production of greenhouse gases.
While in India, hydroelectricity accounts for about one-fifth of total power generation, it is much higher in developing countries such as Brazil and China. Their projects are bigger in size. Compare the sizes of our biggest projects under construction — Subansiri (2,000 MW), and Tehri (1,000 MW) — with already constructed projects like Itaipu (14,000 MW) and three Gorges (22,000 MW)!
Countries whose leaders and people had vision enough to develop their hydro resources before going for other options, enjoy the highest standard of living in the world (example, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland).
Hydro power not only provides protection from floods, it also assures a steady supply of water for irrigation and drinking. In India, the rivers carry more than two third of their annual flow in three monsoon months. Can we afford to waste the bulk of the water by letting it flow unutilised in the monsoon months?
Dams and reservoirs are designed to last over hundred years. Which other type of energy source has such a long life? They provide us inexpensive energy. Even in current times of inflation and high prices, the State of Uttarakhand is getting energy at an average rate of 72.0 paise/unit, from its old power stations.
The fact that hydro projects help mitigate the fury of floods can be gauged from the fact, that had Tehri Dam not withheld 90 per cent of the flood inflows, the Rishikesh and Hardwar would have been washed away. Had there been a dam of the size of Tehri on Alaknanda, the people downstream of the dam would have suffered no harm at all.
Our neighbours like Bhutan too has realised the importance of converting hydro power potential into catalyst for economic development and the results are here to see. They have higher per capita income than us.
Development of hydro is essential for hill States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The people here do not have any resource for industrial development. If hydro development is also scuttled, mass migrations from these States cannot be ruled out.
The local population strongly supports hydro projects such as the Alaknanda Hydel Project and Vishnugad Pipalkoti project. When some people tried to oppose the transfer of Dhari Devi temple at the project site, the locals showed them black flags. The development of hydro power is being opposed by vested interests who do not want to see India as self-reliant.
The author is Director (Projects), Alaknanda Hydro Power Company Limited, GVK Group.