Indian government seeks 10,000 MW hydro power by 2017

India's Power Ministry wants to add 10,000 MW of hydro power capacity in the country in the next five years.

This was announced by Power Secretary Uma Shankar, who added that hydro project face many geological concerns.

The ministry is in constant dialogue with the Ministry of Environment and Forests for expediting environment clearance to hydel projects.

Hydro projects face many impediments in India from environment issues to land and local issues, therefore the gestation period or the commissioning cycle of these plants varies anywhere between6-7 years under normal circumstances.

"In hydro projects sometimes when the work is half way, there are certain geological surprises which delay the progress of the project," he said.

The hydro power generation capacity of the country stands at about 39,000 MW, which is 20 percent of the total installed generation capacity of 1,90,600 MW.

Various private players like Lanco, Jaypee, GVK etc. are setting up hydel projects in India.

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