India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has identified 68 sites with a combined generation capacity of 26,819MW for hydroelectric projects.
According to a preliminary feasibility report, 154 of the 162 identified sites have the potential to generate a combined 47,190MW of electricity. The CEA has offered the sites to public sector undertakings for preparing detailed feasibility reports.
Of the sites identified, the largest capacity of 4000MW was found at Etalin in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The second largest project would be located at Demwe, also in Arunachal, with a capacity to generate 3000MW of electricity. Bhareli-I, Oju-II, Naba, and Naying are the other units with 1000MW or more capacity and all are located in the north-eastern state.
Among the states, Uttaranchal has the second largest potential, with a possible installed capacity of around 5,000MW. The CEA studies have identified 31 projects in the state, with the largest facility of 480MW at Garba Tawaghat.