Global debate on, government moves hydro projects to renewable ministry in India

Is hydro power a source of renewable energy? This is a question that environmentalists around the world have asked. In many countries the harnessing of electricity from flowing water is not recognised as a renewable source. The reason: The environmental impact that dams have on river, fish and life around it offsets its green quotient.

But as far as India is concerned, hydropower will be a source of renewable energy, with Piyush Goyal, the minister for power, renewable energy, coal and mines, moving the hydropower portfolio from the power ministry to the ministry of new and renewable energy.

At present, hydro projects with a capacity of only 25 MW (mega watt) or below are under the jurisdiction of the renewable ministry. “A consensus has been arrived at between states that hydropower should be declared as renewable power,” Piyush Goyal said recently.

With the addition of hydro power, the renewable energy target will be revised to 225,000 MW (225 GW) by 2022 from 175,000 MW (175 G W ). As of September 30,2016, total installed renewable energy capacity is 44 GW. Hydro power generates just over 43 GW. Read more…