Lok Sabha Question No. 1834 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-11
Subject: New Hydro Power Policy
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1834 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2021

## NEW HYDRO POWER POLICY

## 1834.  SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal for new hydro power policy to revive the stalled projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken to boost the hydro power projects in the wake of climate change scenario;
- (c) the  status  of  stalled  projects  and  the  steps  taken  for  revival  of  these  pending projects with details of power generation capacity in MWs, State-wise;
- (d) whether priority will be given to the villages which are not electrified so far in and around the hydropower project sites; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) & (b) : In March, 2019, the Government of India approved the following measures for promoting  hydropower  sector  in  the  country  which  would  be  especially  helpful  for  the projects under construction as well as the new hydro projects:

- i. Declaring  Large  Hydro  Power  (LHPs)  (>  25  MW  projects)  as  Renewable Energy source.
- ii. Hydro  Purchase  Obligation  (HPO)  as  a  separate  entity  within  Non-Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).
- i. Tariff rationalization measures for bringing down hydro power tariff.
- ii. Budgetary  Support  for  Flood  Moderation/Storage  Hydro  Electric  Projects (HEPs).
- iii. Budgetary Support to Cost of Enabling Infrastructure, i.e. roads/bridges.
- a) Rs. 1.5 crore per MW for projects upto 200 MW.
- b) Rs. 1.0 crore per MW for projects above 200 MW.

……..2.

(c)  : A  statement  indicating  status  of  stalled  projects  and  steps  taken  for revival of these projects with details of power capacity in MWs, State-wise is annexed.

(d) & (e) : As  reported  by  States,  all  the  inhabited  un-electrified  census  villages across  the  country  stood  electrified  on  28.04.2018.  Subsequently,  under  Saubhagya scheme  of  Government  of  India,  all  willing  households  have  been  electrified  in  the country up to December 2020.

Further, as per the Hydro Power Policy, 2008, 100 units of electricity per month would be provided by the developer to each Project Affected Family (PAF) for a period  of  10  (ten)  years  from  the  date  of  commissioning  of  the  project  through  the concerned distribution company with the cost of balance unused electricity, if any, to be  made  available  to  PAF  in  cash  or  kind  or  a  combination  of  both,  at  rates  to  be determined by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

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## ANNEXURE

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1834 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 11.02.2021

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| Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.   | Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.   | Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.   | Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.   | Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.   | Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.   | Status of Hydro projects (above 25 MW) for which construction is held up and steps taken for revival.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No                                                                                                  | Name of Project /Installed Capacity                                                                     | Unit No.                                                                                                | State/District Implementing Agency                                                                      | Capacity (MW)                                                                                           | Likely Commiss- ioning                                                                                  | Reason /Present status/ steps for revival                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Central Sector                                                                                          | Central Sector                                                                                          | Central Sector                                                                                          | Central Sector                                                                                          | Central Sector                                                                                          | Central Sector                                                                                          | Central Sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 1                                                                                                       | Lata Tapovan 3x57= 171 MW                                                                               | U-1 to U-3                                                                                              | Uttarakhand/ Chamoli/ NTPC                                                                              | 171                                                                                                     | 2025-26                                                                                                 | Subsequent to the Uttarakhand disaster in June, 2013, Hon'ble Supreme Court gave the judgment on 13.08.2013 that 'MoEF as well as State of Uttarakhand not to grant any further environmental clearance or forest clearance for any hydroelectric power project in the State of Uttarakhand, until further orders'. Therefore, the construction work stopped. The matter is sub-judice.                                                 |
| 2                                                                                                       | Rangit-IV 3x40= 120 MW                                                                                  | U-1 to U-3                                                                                              | Sikkim/West Sikkim/NHPC                                                                                 | 120                                                                                                     | 2025-26                                                                                                 | Project is stalled since October, 2013 due to funds constraints with the developer. The project was under NCLT process since 9th April, 2019. NHPC submitted EOI on 08.07.2019 and was shortlisted under final list of Prospective Resolution Applicants on 23.08.2019. The Resolution Plan was submitted by NHPC on 04.12.2019. Final hearing was held on 31.07.2020 and the project has been awarded to NHPC. Investment approval for |
| 3                                                                                                       | Ratle 4x205+1x30= 850 MW                                                                                | U-1 to U-5                                                                                              | Jammu & Kashmir/ Kishtwar/ JV of Govt. of UT of J&K and NHPC                                            | 850                                                                                                     | 2025-26                                                                                                 | Project is stalled since 11.07.2014 due to various issues viz. R&R issues, Local issues, Law & order problem etc. Earlier, it was under execution by private sector developer and some works already have been done. There is no progress since 11th July, 2014. JV of Govt. of UT of J&K and NHPC has been formed. Investment approval has been accorded by Cabinet on 20.01.2021. Award of works is                                   |
| Sub-Total(Central)                                                                                      | Sub-Total(Central)                                                                                      | Sub-Total(Central)                                                                                      |                                                                                                         | 1141                                                                                                    |                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| State Sector                                                                                            | State Sector                                                                                            | State Sector                                                                                            | State Sector                                                                                            | State Sector                                                                                            | State Sector                                                                                            | State Sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 4                                                                                                       | Koyna Left Bank PSS 2x40= 80 MW                                                                         | U-1 to U-2                                                                                              | Maharashtra/ Satara/WRD, Gov. of Mah.                                                                   | 80                                                                                                      | 2025-26                                                                                                 | Project stalled since July, 2015. The current expenditure on the project has already reached to almost original administrative approved cost level. Proposal for revival of the project is submitted to the Govt. of Maharashtra.                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

developer.

………..2.

| 5              | Lower Kalnai 2x24= 48 MW    | U-1 to U-2          | J&K/Kishtwar/JKSP DC                                            | 48             | 2025-26        | Works on all fronts at Dam and Power House site are stalled since 24.01.2018 due to payment dispute with subcontractors and due to non-settlement of extension of time of the contract by the JKSPDC.                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------|-----------------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6              | Polavaram 12x80= 960 MW     | U-1 to U-12         | Andhra Pradesh/East & West Godavari/ APGENCO/ Irr. Deptt., A.P. | 960            | 2023-25        | Works stalled since 19.07.2019 as APGENCO asked contractor (NECL) to stop all works and termination of contract issued on 14.08.2019. Now works are being taken up as legal hurdles got cleared on 14.12.2020.                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|                | Sub-Total (State)           |                     |                                                                 | 1088           |                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Private Sector | Private Sector              | Private Sector      | Private Sector                                                  | Private Sector | Private Sector | Private Sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 7              | Maheshwar 10x40= 400 MW     | U-1 to U-10         | Madhya Pradesh/Khargone & Khandwa/SMHPCL                        | 400            | 2023-24        | Works suspended since Nov-11 due to cash flow problem with developer. M.P. Power Management Company Ltd. has terminated the Power Purchase Agreement with SMHPCL on 18.04.2020.                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 8              | Panan 4x75= 300 MW          | U-1 to U-4          | Sikkim/North Sikkim/Himgiri Hydro Energy Pvt. Ltd.              | 300            | 2025-26        | Issue of construction of bridge on Mantham Lake for accessebility of site is under discussion with the State Govt of Sikkim.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 9              | Tangnu Romai- I 2x22= 44 MW | U-1 to U-2          | Himachal Pradesh/Shimla/Tan gnu Romai Power Generation          | 44             | 2024-25        | Works are stalled since January, 2015 due to fund constraints with developer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 10             | Rangit-II 2x33= 66 MW       | U-1 to U-2          | Sikkim/West Sikkim/Sikkim Hydro Power Ltd.                      | 66             | 2024-25        | Works are stalled since December, 2017 due to funds constraints with developer. Project is in NCLT since 30.07.2020.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 11             | Bhasmey 2x25.5= 51 MW       | U-1 to U-2          | Sikkim/East Sikkim/Gati Infrastructure                          | 51             | 2024-25        | Works are stalled since Sept., 2016 due to funds constraints with developer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 12             | Phata Byung 2x38= 76 MW     | U-1 to U-2          | Uttarakhand/ Rudraprayag M/s Lanco                              | 76             | 2025-26        | Works stalled since July, 2017 due to Financial crunch with the contractor / developer. The company is undergoing a corporate insolvency resolution process initiated under IBC for resolution and revival of the project since June 2020. Under this process, the resolution professional appointed by the NCLT has initiated the process for inviting prospective investors for the project. |
|                | Sub-Total (Private)         | Sub-Total (Private) |                                                                 | 937            |                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|                | Total                       | Total               |                                                                 | 3166           |                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

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