What is the role of hydro projects in India in the wake of the recent coal crisis?

Hydro is a critical part of our electricity basket and more than the recent crisis you are referring to, it is the greater degree of integration of solar and wind in our system which shall provide impetus to the hydropower development. As you are aware solar and wind are intermittent sources of power and to ensure an efficient and stable grid we need sources to respond to the fluctuations. Hydro with its inherent capabilities to quickly ramp up or swiftly shut off the generation is a critical source in this regard. By a conservative estimate we will have to double up our hydro capacity in the next decade.

What is the status of NHPC’s projects?

The pandemic posed a different set of challenges for us compared to what we usually find in the implementation of projects. It hindered progress at our construction sites to some extent; however, our teams responded quickly and we have managed to maintain good progress at all our project sites. As of now nine projects with total installed capacity of 5,999 MW are in the construction stage. We are on our way to commission two units of the project by August 2022 and rest of the units by August 2023. Similarly the much delayed 800 MW Parbati-II is in its final stages and we shall be completing this project by March 2023. Besides this a lot of focus is also on the development of renewable energy especially solar power and projects with a capacity of around 5000 MW are under consideration and some of them are already in tendering stages.

Is the company looking at acquiring any stressed assets?

We consider stranded hydropower projects as a loss to nation and believe that every effort must be made to revive them. We have already acquired two projects – 500 MW Teesta-VI of LTHPL and 120 MW Rangit-IV Hydroelectric Project of Jal Power Corp in Sikkim. Though our focus and emphasis will be on greenfield projects, we will continue to look for opportunities within IBC or outside of it if the project is technically, commercially viable and results in enhanced synergy for us.

What are your views on the apprehensions regarding dams and hydropower projects?

It is indeed a big irony that hydropower, the most environment-friendly and cleanest source of energy available to mankind is relentlessly opposed. We already have built more than 5,300 large dams and not even a single case of catastrophic failure has occurred in the country. Hydropower projects often face challenges from locals due to misconceptions and often the resistance is based on trivial issues, therefore constant communication with the local population is the key. See, in our country land is an emotional issue and require a sympathetic view. We as a society need to adopt a holistic approach to really appreciate the role of Dams and hydropower projects.