Hydropower segment has been facing numerous impediments to its growth. However, it has come into the government focus exudes hope that it will pick up pace going ahead.

Shri Balraj Joshi has taken over as the new chairman and managing director of NHPC Limited on September 22, 2017. Before that, he was director (technical) with NHPC.

The Indian power sector is undergoing a major transformation with the large scale introduction of renewables in the power mix and the ever increasing peak loads.

The planned renewable capacity target of 175 GW by 2022 to enable our COP21 commitment and 'Power for All' program poses significant challenges of balancing variability and intermittency in the grid.

Once at the forefront of power generation in India, today hydro power has fallen far behind. We take a look at what ails the sector and the possible solutions to restore its former glory.

Recent times have seen a welcome focus on harnessing renewable energy sources for power generation, worldwide. India too, has taken the challenge of curbing its carbon emissions head on, setting a humongous target of generating 175 GW through renewable sources by 2022.

It is good to give considerable thrust for development of solar and wind, but the development of hydropower should not be given least priority compared with the other renewable energy sources (Solar and Wind).

The key issues hydropower sector faces are delays in clearance and approval procedures, R And R and land acquisition issues, infrastructure availability in remote areas, inadequate incentives and capacity of developers

Once the major source of power generation in India, hydro power has seen a sharp downward trend in the recent years. From 44 per cent of the energy mix to a mere 18 per cent, this abundant, high potential and green energy