Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source that uses the potential energy of the water stored in the dams, reservoirs, flowing rivers etc. The falling or flowing water rotates the turbine which spins a generator and the mechanical energy of the generator is converted to electric energy and hence the electricity is generated from the water.
Major Power Projects in India
| Hydroelectric Power Plants in India | |||||
| Sr | Hydroelectric Power Plant | River | Hydroelectric Power Plant | Year of Commission | |
| 1. | Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Krishna | Andhra Pradesh | 1967 | |
| 2. | Srisailam Right Bank Power Station Project | Krishna | Andhra Pradesh | 1982 | |
| 3. | Shivanasamudra Hydro Power Project | Kaveri | Andhra Pradesh | 1902 | |
| 4. | Karbi Langpi Hydro Electric Project (KLHEP) | Borpani River | Assam | 2007 | |
| 5. | Kopili Hydro Electric Project | Kopili River | Assam | 1984 | |
| 6. | Kameng Hydro Power Station | Bichom and Tenga Rivers | Arunachal Pradesh | 2020-21 | |
| 7. | Ranganadi Hydro Power Station | Ranganadi River | Arunachal Pradesh | 2002 | |
| 8. | Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project | Subansiri | Arunachal Pradesh | Under Construction | |
| 9. | Dagmara Hydro-Electric Project | Kosi River | Bihar | Under Construction | |
| 10. | Hasdeo Bango Dam | Hasdeo River | Chhattisgarh | 1961-62 | |
| 11. | Sardar Sarovar Project | Narmada River | Gujarat | 2017 | |
| 12. | Bhakra Hydroelectric Project | Satluj | Himachal Pradesh | Bhakra Left Bank Power House – 1961Bhakra Right Bank Power House – 1968 | |
| 12. | Pong Hydroelectric Project | Beas River | Himachal Pradesh | 1978 | |
| 13. | Dehar Hydroelectric Project | Beas River | Himachal Pradesh | 1977 | |
| 14. | Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Electric Project | Satluj River | Himachal Pradesh | 2004 | |
| 15. | Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant | Sutluj River | Himachal Pradesh | 2011 | |
| 16. | Koldam Hydroelectric Plant | Satluj River | Himachal Pradesh | 2015 | |
| 17. | Baglihar Stage- I Hydroelectric Project | Chenab River | Jammu & Kashmir | 2008 | |
| 18. | Salal Hydro Electric Power plant | Chenab River | Jammu & Kashmir | 1987 | |
| 19. | URI-I Uri power station | Jhelum River | Jammu & Kashmir | 1997 | |
| 20. | The Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project | Marusudar | Jammu & Kashmir | Under Construction | |
| 21. | Subarnarekha Hydel Power Project | Subarnarekha River | Jharkhand | 1977 | |
| 22. | Almatti Hydroelectric Project | Krishna River | Karnataka | 2005 | |
| 23. | Sharavathi Hydro Power Plant | Sharavathi River | Karnataka | 1964 | |
| 24. | Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project | Periyar River | Kerala | 1940 | |
| 25. | Idukki Hydro Electric Project | Periyar River | Kerala | 1976 | |
| 26. | Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project | Narmada River | Madhya Pradesh | 2004 | |
| 27. | Bansagar Hydroelectric Project | Sone River | Madhya Pradesh | 1991 | |
| 28. | Koyna (Pophali) Hydroelectric Project | Kyona River | Maharashtra | 1967 | |
| 29. | Dikhu Hydro Electric Project | River Dikhu and River Yangnyu | Nagaland | Under Construction | |
| 30. | Hirakud Hydro Electric Project | Mahanadi | Odisha | 1957 | |
| 31. | Balimela Hydro Electric Project | Sileru River | Odisha | 1975 | |
| 32. | Anandpur Sahib Hydroelectric Project | Satluj River | Punjab | 1985 | |
| 33. | Ranjit Sagar Dam Hydroelectric Project | Ravi River | Punjab | 2000 | |
| 34. | Teesta-VI hydroelectric power project | Teesta River | Sikkim | Under Construction | |
| 35. | Kundah Hydroelectric Project | Bhavani river | Tamil Nadu | 1960 | |
| 36. | Kadamparai Hydroelectric Project | Kadampari River | Tamil Nadu | 1987 | |
| 37. | Srisailam Left Bank Hydroelectric Project | Krishna River | Telangana | 2001 | |
| 38. | Rihand Hydroelectric Project | Rihand River | Uttar Pradesh | 1955 | |
| 39. | Tehri Hydroelectric Project | Bhagirathi River | Uttarakhand | 2006 | |
| 40. | Kishau Dam Hydropower Project | Tons River | Uttarakhand | Under Construction | |
| 41. | Kotli Bhel Dam | Ganga | Uttarakhand | Under Construction | |
Hydroelectric Power Plant in India: Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Hydropower plants use water to produce electricity, which is a renewable energy resource | Multiple hydroelectric projects in India are inactive due to legal conflicts over the regional turmoil, environment, economic pressure, and unconcerned consumers |
| The process involves zero long-term costs as water is a renewable energy resource without any consumable elements | Electricity production using hydropower needs a substantial money investment in capital |
| It is less expensive as compared to power produced by gas-fired and coal plants | They cause land submergence and result in the extinction of flora and fauna |
| It is more reliable and eradicates financial losses as it does not utilize fossil fuels | Diversion of forest land is periodically required since these projects are found in hilly regions, where forest cover is more |
| Hydropower stations are the best solution for fulfilling extreme loads in grids as they possess the ability to start and close immediately | Modern hydropower projects have experienced delays because of tricky planning strategies, long-term finance, lack of proper infrastructures, etc. |
Irrigation
In India irrigation has always been the largest user of water. Irrigation projects mainly consists engineering (or hydraulic) structures which collect, convey, and deliver water to areas on which crops are grown.
- Irrigation is a method of watering.
- It depicts an agricultural process that applies a controlled amount of water to the crop field for better products as well as to the horticultural land, social forestry lands, lawns, and fields for animal grazing.
Irrigation Schemes in India
Major Irrigation Projects in India:
- Bhakra Nangal: On the Sutlej River of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh this irrigation project was completed in the year 1963.
- Beas Project: On the Beas river of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan this project was completed in the year 1974.
- Indira Gandhi Canal: On the Harike river of Punjab this was completed in 1965.
- Kosi Project: On the Kosi River of Bihar and Nepal it was completed in 1954.
- Hirakud Project: It is on the Mahanadi River of Orissa state .
- Tungabhadra Project: This project was completed in the year 1953 on the Tungabhadra-Krishna River of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Project: It has been completed in the year of 1960 on the Krishna River of Andhra Pradesh
- Chambal Project: On the Chambal River of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh it has been completed in 1960
- Damodar valley project: It has been completed in the year 1948 on the Damodar River of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
- Gandak Project: In 1970 on the Gandak river of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- Kakrapara Project: It has been implemented on the Tapti River of Gujarat district in 1954.
- Koyna project: This irrigation project has been implemented in the year 1964 on the Koyna-Krishna River of Maharashtra.
- Malprabha Project: It has been implemented in the year of 1972 on the Malprabha river of Karnataka state.
- Mayurakshi Project: This project has been implemented in the year of 1956 on the Mayurakshi river of West Bengal.
- Kangasabati Project: It has been implemented in the year 1956 on the river Kangasabati of West Bengal.
Hydropower and Irrigation Projects,Hydropower and Irrigation Projects,Hydropower and Irrigation Projects
Read Also: Water Resource in India
