List of Hydro Power Plants of India, Complete Statewise List

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Hydro Power Plants of India 2024

Hydro Power Plants play a crucial role in India’s energy mix, contributing around 13% of the total installed capacity. As of April 2024, the country boasts:

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Operational Power Plant Units: 730, with a total installed capacity of 46,880.17 MW.
Pipeline Power Plant Units: 167, with a planned capacity of 17,973.49 MW.

Statewise List of Hydro Power Plants in India

States

No	State	Hydro Electric Projects	Powerhouses
1	Andhra Pradesh	9	7
2	Arunachal Pradesh	1	2
3	Assam	4	3
4	Bihar	3	4
5	Chhattisgarh	3	3
6	Goa	0	0
7	Gujarat	3	5
8	Haryana	2	4
9	Himachal Pradesh	33	31
10	Jammu and Kashmir	19	19
11	Jharkhand	4	7
12	Karnataka	16	26
13	Kerala	14	16
14	Madhya Pradesh	14	14
15	Maharashtra	29	35
16	Manipur	2	0
17	Meghalaya	4	0
18	Mizoram	0	0
19	Nagaland	1	1
20	Odisha	6	8
21	Punjab	6	12
22	Rajasthan	2	4
23	Sikkim	3	4
24	Tamil Nadu	20	33
25	Tripura	1	1
26	Uttar Pradesh	6	6
27	Uttarakhand	15	20
28	West Bengal	7	9
29	Telangana	6	8

Union Territories

No	Union Territories	Hydro Electric Projects	Powerhouses
1	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	1	1
2	Chandigarh	0	0
3	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	0	0
4	Daman and Diu	1	0
5	Lakshadweep	0	0
6	Delhi	0	0
7	Puducherry	0	0

Nuclear and thermal power plants in India

Basinwise List of Hydropower Plants in India

No.	Basin Name	Hydro Electric Projects	Powerhouses
1	Indus (Up to border)	54	59
2	Ganga	38	54
3	Brahmaputra	15	20
4	Barak and others	3	3
5	Godavari	16	16
6	Krishna	30	35
7	Cauvery	15	24
8	Subarnarekha	1	4
9	Brahmani and Baitarni	1	1
10	Mahanadi	4	6
11	Pennar	1	1
12	Mahi	2	3
13	Sabarmati	0	0
14	Narmada	6	9
15	Tapi	1	2
16	West-flowing rivers from Tapi to Tadri	12	18
17	West-flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari	21	29
18	East flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar	0	0
19	East-flowing rivers between Pennar and Kanyakumari	6	6
20	West flowing rivers of Kutch and Saurashtra including Luni	0	0
21	Area of inland drainage in Rajasthan	0	0
22	Minor rivers draining into Myanmar (Burma and Bangladesh)	0	0

Major HydroPower Plants in India

India boasts a vast network of hydropower plants, playing a crucial role in its energy mix with over 13% of the total installed capacity. These powerhouses not only generate clean energy but also contribute to irrigation, flood control, and even navigation. Let’s explore some of the major hydropower plants in India, along with their significance:

1. Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh & Punjab):

Capacity: 1,500 MW
Significance: This iconic dam on the Satluj River stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess. It provides electricity to millions, irrigates vast agricultural lands, and regulates river flow for flood control.

2. Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand):

Capacity: 1,000 MW
Significance: The tallest rockfill dam in Asia, nestled amidst the Himalayas, Tehri Dam generates clean energy while also providing irrigation water and flood control benefits.

3. Dhyaradeshi Dam (Maharashtra):

Capacity: 450 MW
Significance: Situated on the Koyna River, Dhyaradeshi Dam is known for its unique underground powerhouse, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing efficiency.

4. Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat):

Capacity: 1,650 MW
Significance: The second-largest concrete dam in the world, Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River generates power, irrigates agricultural lands, and provides drinking water to millions.

5. Koyna Dam (Maharashtra):

Capacity: 1,960 MW
Significance: The largest hydroelectric project in Maharashtra, Koyna Dam harnesses the power of the Koyna River, generating clean energy while also contributing to irrigation and flood control.

6. Nathpa Jhakri Power Station (Himachal Pradesh):

Capacity: 1,500 MW
Significance: This power station on the Satluj River provides clean energy to northern India and helps regulate river flow for flood control.

7. Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project (Arunachal Pradesh):

Capacity: 670 MW
Significance: This project on the Ranganadi River in the Eastern Himalayas generates power for the region and contributes to the development of the North East.

8. Teesta Low Dam (Sikkim):

Capacity: 1,200 MW
Significance: This dam on the Teesta River is a major source of power for Sikkim and contributes to regional energy security.

9. Indira Sagar Power Project (Madhya Pradesh):

Capacity: 1,000 MW
Significance: This project on the Narmada River generates power for central India and provides irrigation water for agriculture.

10. Idukki Arch Dam (Kerala):

Capacity: 780 MW
Significance: This iconic dam in Kerala is a major source of power for the state and also contributes to tourism and recreation.

Benefits of Hydroelectric Power Plants

Renewable and Clean Energy: Hydropower utilizes the natural flow of water, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a cleaner environment.
Reliable and Flexible Power: Hydropower plants can be quickly ramped up or down to meet changing energy demands, providing reliable baseload power and supporting grid stability.
Multiple Benefits Beyond Power: Many hydropower projects serve multi-purpose functions, contributing to irrigation, flood control, and navigation.
Economic and Social Development: Hydropower projects can boost local economies by creating jobs and improving access to electricity and water.

Hydropower plants remain a vital part of India’s energy mix, offering a blend of clean energy, reliability, and additional benefits. Addressing the challenges and implementing sustainable practices will ensure responsible hydropower development for the future.

Significance of Hydro Power Plants

Hydropower plants play a significant role in the modern world, offering a blend of advantages that make them valuable assets for countries like India. Here’s a deeper look at their importance:

Renewable and Clean Energy: Unlike fossil fuels, hydropower utilizes the natural flow of water, making it a renewable and clean energy source. This minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to combating climate change.
Reliable and Flexible Power: Hydropower plants can be quickly ramped up or down to meet changing energy demands, providing reliable baseload power and supporting grid stability. This is crucial for managing peak demand and integrating intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind.
Multiple Benefits Beyond Power: Many hydropower projects serve multi-purpose functions, contributing to irrigation, flood control, and navigation. Reservoirs created by dams store water for irrigation, regulate river flows for flood prevention, and facilitate transportation via waterways.
Economic and Social Development: Hydropower projects can boost local economies by creating jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance. They can also lead to infrastructure development and improve the quality of life for communities through increased access to electricity and water.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite their numerous benefits, hydropower also comes with challenges that need careful consideration:

Environmental Impact: The construction and operation of dams can impact ecosystems and communities downstream. Mitigating measures and sustainable practices are crucial to minimize these impacts.
Siltation and Sedimentation: Accumulating sediment in reservoirs can reduce their capacity and efficiency. Regular dredging and watershed management are necessary.
Dependence on Rainfall: Hydropower generation is dependent on rainfall patterns, making it vulnerable to droughts and climate change. Diversification of energy sources is essential for long-term sustainability.

Overall, hydropower plants remain a vital part of the global energy mix, offering a reliable and clean source of power while providing additional benefits like irrigation and flood control. Addressing the associated challenges and implementing sustainable practices will ensure responsible hydropower development for the future.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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