Date:18/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/18/stories/2005031801200400.htm

Back `India lags in tapping hydropower potential'

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD: India could tap just 18 per cent of an estimated 1,50,000 MW potential of hydropower.

Keeping in view the growing mismatch between thermal power and hydropower, the Government started focusing on the latter source.

"The Government has set a target of 14,393 MW for the Tenth Five-Year Plan as against an installed capacity of 4,538 MW in the Ninth Plan," Mr Suresh Kumar, a senior executive of Jaypee group, said.

Of the 14,393 MW target, the private sector was expected to contribute 1,170 MW.

Mr Suresh, who was in the city in connection with Jayaprakash Hydro-Power IPO roadshow, said India lagged behind countries such as Canada, Netherlands and China in harnessing the potential of hydropower. At present, the share of hydropower was just 26 per cent of the overall installed power capacity of the country.