Hydropower to remain our core business, but we are looking beyond it – NHPC
In an interview with Jyoti Mukul & Shreya Jai, KM Singh, chairman and managing director, NHPC Ltd, said that the perception that there is no growth in hydropower is not correct.
Q - What is your outlook for the hydropower sector?
A - The perception of not much growth in hydro is not correct. Hydropower potential in the country is identified up 1,40,000 MW and so far it is hardly at 40,000 MW, which is less than 50%. The question comes that water is a state government subject and unless state allows you cannot harness the potential. Depending on the condition of the location, rocks, availability of water, and space for powerhouse and other facility, a decision on the design is taken. The first NDA government had identified around 50,000 MW hydro potential and pre-feasibility reports were prepared for Arunachal Pradesh.
Currently, a lot of emphasis is being given to renewable energy sources to meet the increasing demand of energy. Hydro being a clean source enhances energy security of the country and meets peak demand. An impetus to hydropower would prevent (harm to) environment, bring down fossil fuel demand and would also facilitate water security, flood control and irrigation.
Hydropower is the basic need of the country for maintenance and stabilisation of grid. Hydro-thermal mix is required. For peaking power, which can be put on production within few minutes only hydro, gas or nuclear is there. Everybody knows the fate of gas. Only hydro is there which is a replenish-able natural source. Even solar and wind is only available during the day.
India has an economically viable exploitable hydropower potential of 1,45,320 MW out of which 37,688 MW has been developed and the balance is under development.
Q - Where do you see growth will come for NHPC?
A - Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh gave NHPC around 20,000 MW projects. We started the survey and investigation, but in the meantime in 2003 Electricity Act was passed and private companies were allotted project. The state government took away some projects from us.
NHPC currently has an installed capacity of 6,507 MW, out of which 4,987 MW is on standalone basis. In the current financial year, we are expecting to 160 MW by commissioning two units of TLDP-IV in West Bengal. By end of 12th plan, we aim to add 1,702 MW in our current installed capacity out of which six projects of 1212 MW have already being commissioned.
In Arunachal, Twang I and II of 1400 MW are under clearance. DPR is already submitted for these two projects. Kotlibhel IA in Uttarakhand. There is Supreme Court ban, but we are expecting that these will be cleared because it not on the main river. It is one of the six projects to be cleared.
Q - What is the company’s capital expenditure plan?
A - In 2015-16, Rs 4,100 crore was planned, but we will spend around Rs 3,600 crore. We have two projects where there are problems — Subanshri Lower and in Parbati project in Himachal Pradesh. There was geographical problem but some progress has been made.
Source : Business Standard