Himachal Pradesh adds 278 MW hydropower capacity with new investment
Source:financialexpress ↗
Why It Matters
Crucial for HPAS aspirants tracking major economic developments, infrastructural investments, and renewable energy targets within Himachal Pradesh.
Summary
Himachal Pradesh has advanced its renewable energy sector by unlocking hydropower potential through an investment of Rs 3,336 crore, adding 278 MW of new generation capacity to boost the state's economy and energy framework.
Key Points
- Himachal Pradesh has unlocked significant hydropower potential with a fresh investment of Rs 3,336 crore.
- The initiative adds 278 MW of new hydropower generation capacity to the state's grid.
- Hydropower remains a cornerstone of Himachal Pradesh's economy, contributing significantly to its revenue and industrial power capacity.
Important Terms
Financial Express
An Indian financial daily newspaper providing economic news, industry analysis, and market data, often cited for reporting key infrastructure, energy, and policy developments in states like Himachal Pradesh.
UPSC context
Important for HPAS/UPSC current affairs tracking economic policy, power sector investments, and industrial growth reports.
Static Concepts Connected
What is the total estimated hydropower potential of Himachal Pradesh and how much is harnessed?
- Total Potential: Total Potential: Estimated at approximately 24,000 MW, accounting for a major share of India's total hydro potential.
- Harnessed Capacity: Harnessed Capacity: Around 12,588 MW has already been harnessed across nearly 189 operational projects.
- River Basins: Major Basins: Spread across the five major river basins namely Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Yamuna.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Hydropower Revenue vs. State Fiscal Deficit
Hydropower royalties directly feed state fiscal health, impacting HP's capital expenditure on infrastructure and social sector debt servicing.
Himalayan Hydropower vs. Fragile Eco-Zone EIA
Environmental clearances for micro-hydel projects in fragile Himalayan eco-zones intersect with EIA norms and disaster management readiness.
HP's new power policy (12% uniform royalty for 40 years up to 25 MW) + total hydro potential data will likely form a Statement-I/II question.
Linked PYQs · 1
Linked PYQs · 1
- 2020HPAS_PRELIMSGS1
Consider the given four statements and choose the correct answer from the given options. Which of the following statement(s) is / are not correct? 1. The per capita income at current prices as per first revised estimates for the year 2019-20 witnessed an increase of 6.2 percent. 2. As per the revised estimates, the contraction in the economy for 2020-21 was expected to be around - 7.9 percent as on December 2020. 3. The Economic growth in the state (H.P.) is still governed by agriculture activities. 4. The smaller projects in the hydro-electric power sector up to 2MW have been reserved for the investors from Himachal Pradesh only.
