Hydroelectric Power Plants in India

India has 197 Hydro Power plants. The end of the 19th century saw the development of power in India.

In 1897, A hydroelectricity plant was commissioned in Darjeeling – the Sidrapong Hydropower facility. And in 1902, a Hydro Power station at Sivasamudram in Karnataka was commissioned. This article will provide you with a list of important hydroelectric power plants in India that are important for the IAS Exam.

Download the list of Thermal Power Plants in India from the linked article.

Why read about the Hydroelectric Power Plants in India?

There are a few important current affairs related to the hydroelectric power plants in India:

1. National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd’s 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project site got damaged in the Uttarakhand Floods (February 2021.)
2. As per the recent data, 45.8 GW out of 375.32 GW installed power capacity, belongs to hydroelectric power.
3. 2019 – Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to work on the modernization of the 144MW Chilla Hydroelectric power plant in Uttarakhand, India.

Electricity is an indispensable part of human lives and without electricity, it is impossible to imagine our lives these days. You must be aware of the fact that electricity is generated by utilizing coal, wind, water, and solar energy.

Hydroelectric power is one of the most established and broadly utilized renewable sources of energy. To generate the power it utilizes the Earth’s water cycle to generate electricity.  Our country is endowed with an immense amount of hydroelectric potential and positions fifth in terms of exploitable hydroelectric energy in the world. The power generated from hydroelectric plants is used for several purposes.

The hydroelectric power plants which come under Indian geography is an important portion. Aspirants can expect questions related to power generation in UPSC Prelims Examination. Here we are giving the list of major hydroelectric power plants in India.

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Hydroelectric Power Plants in India (UPSC Notes):- Download PDF Here

List of Hydroelectric Power Plants in India

Hydropower projects are categorised as large or small based on their size. Small hydropower projects are classified differently in different countries based on their size. Small hydro power plants in India are those with a capacity of 25 MW or less. Prior to 1989, the Ministry of Power was in charge of hydropower. Plant capacity of 3MW and below was handed to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 1989.

Facts about Hydroelectric Power plants in India

1. The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is the largest completed hydroelectric power plant in India. It has a power capacity of 1960 MW.
2. The first hydroelectric power station was the Sidrapong hydroelectric power station.
3. Tehri Hydro Electric Power plant is the highest hydroelectric power project in the country, also Tehri Dam is the tallest one in India. Now, NTPC has taken over the project (Since 2019).
4. Srisailam Hydro Power Plant is the third largest working project in India.
5. Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Power Plant is the biggest underground hydroelectric power project in the country.
6. Sardar Sarovar Dam is the world’s second-largest concrete dam. Get the list of dams in India at the linked article.

Hydroelectric Power Plants in India (UPSC Notes):- Download PDF Here

Practice Question:

Which is India’s first hydroelectric power station?

1. Idukki Hydro Electric Power plant
2. Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power plant
3. Koyna Hydroelectric Power plant
4. Bhakra Nangal Hydroelectric Power plant

Ans. b

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There are more articles and UPSC-related preparation materials to choose from with the links given in the table below. Also, be sure to visit the UPSC Syllabus page for more concept pages:

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