Hydropower Renaissance: India's Green Energy Backbone

India's hydropower sector has seen a resurgence, becoming a key element in its clean-energy framework. With substantial progress in large-scale projects, the sector is enhancing grid stability. The future focus is on expanded use of pumped-storage hydro as India aims for substantial capacity additions to support renewable energy integration.

India's hydropower sector is experiencing a revival, shifting from its previously sluggish persona into a dynamic component of the nation's clean-energy framework. This shift is underscored by a substantial increase in large-scale hydropower projects, which are essential in stabilizing an energy grid that is heavily reliant on solar and wind power.

Major advancements have been realized in projects like Lower Subansiri and Parbati-II, signaling a significant evolution in the hydropower landscape. This transformation is accompanied by heightened safety measures and climate risk awareness, particularly important in the Himalayan regions prone to natural disasters.

Looking ahead, the role of pumped-storage hydro (PSH) as a critical grid-scale energy storage solution is set to expand. With ambitious capacity targets and strategic policy support, PSH is anticipated to fulfill pivotal storage needs as part of India's broader renewable energy strategy, promising a steady annual capacity escalation into the next decade.

(With inputs from agencies.)