The Government had taken several policy initiatives in the past for hydropower development in the country viz., National Electricity Policy 2005, National Tariff Policy 2016, National Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy 2007 and Right to Fair Compensation & Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.

Subsequently, the Government has also issued measures to promote Hydro Power Sector on 8^th March, 2019 under which the following provisions have been made:-

(i)      Declaring Large Hydro Projects (>25 MW) as Renewable Energy source.

(ii)     Tariff rationalization measures for bringing down hydropower tariff.

(iii)    Budgetary Support for Flood Moderation/ Storage Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs).

(iv)    Budgetary Support to Cost of Enabling Infrastructure i.e., roads/bridges.

Subsequently, the Hydro Purchase Obligation (HPO) trajectory, for the period 2021-22 to 2029-30 has also been notified by the Government on 29.01.2021.

These measures would be particularly beneficial for development of hydro projects, in hilly regions/ States, which are often located in remote and far-flung areas and require development of extensive associated infrastructure such as roads, bridges etc. for transportation of heavy, large sized equipment & machinery to the project site.

          This information was given by Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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