Using India's hydropower potentialWith a population of well over a billion people and a fast growing economy, India’s electricity demand is one oft he highest in the world. To meet this high demand in a sustainable manner, it is essential to use the potential of renewable energies. Therefore, the project activity in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh in India involves the construction of a new 5MW hydropower plant consisting of a diversion weir, fore bay, water conducting system, surface penstock and an underground power-house. The energy generated is then transfered to the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) grid, increasing the share of renewable energy in the national electricity mix while reducing the country’s dependency on fossil fuels.
Moreover, the project leads to social well-being by creating long-term jobs for the operation of the power plant. Additionally, refurbishments of the road network and street lightnings at the project site have improved transport accessibility and infrastructure for the local communities.
How hydropower contributes to climate actionHydropower plants use the energy of water to generate electricity. The energy is harnessed by passing water through a turbine. Under the pressure of the water, the turbine turns and transfers this energy to a generator, which converts kinetic energy into electricity. This principle applies to all types of hydroelectric power plants: from small run-of-river power plants to pumped-storage power plants on bodies of water like lakes. In many parts of the world, electricity is still primarily generated from fossil fuels. Clean hydropower can replace some of this emission-intensive energy and thus verifiably save carbon emissions. In most hydropower projects, the electricity is fed into a regional power grid, diversifying the energy supply and improving energy security in areas affected by power shortages and blackouts. Often, these projects also create jobs for the local population. Hydropower projects thus make an important contribution to clean energy supply as well as contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hydopower projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
