HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 246: Model Answer

Question: Discuss the major problems and prospects of hydro power sector in Himachal Pradesh. (20 marks/ 400 words)

Answer:

According to preliminary hydrological, topographical and geological investigations, it has been estimated that 27,436 megawatt units of energy can be generated in Himachal Pradesh on the five river basins. Of which, 30% (8401 mw) energy of the total existing potential capacity has been harnessed so far. By exploiting its Hydro – Power potential, Himachal Pradesh can produce 25% hydroelectricity of India and can become power state of the country. Of the total 5 river basins, the Sutlej basins can only produce about half (50%) of the total hydro – power potential of Himachal Pradesh followed by the river basins of Beas (21.8%), the Chenab (14.7%) the Ravi (11.8%) and the Yamuna (3.1%).

Prospects:

1. Topography:

• The hilly and mountainous topography of Himachal Pradesh is quite suitable for generating the vast Hydro – Electric power potential.
• Its undulating topographical conditions provide an ideal set up for generating Hydro power.
• It is also favourable to divert water from the up slopes of the flowing rivers to their downward slopes by boring tunnels through the suitable rock structure.

2. Steep slopes and waterfalls:

• The river moving on different rock structure and are forming a series of water falls in their course of journey which is suitable for exploiting vast potential of hydro power in Himachal Pradesh.
• The rivers of the state are endowed with such steep slopes and waterfalls really prove to be an asset to develop this sector of economy.

3.Heavy Rain fall:

• The catchment areas of the rivers of Himachal Pradesh are both snow fed and rain fed in character.
• All the rivers of Himachal Pradesh originated from the glaciers or the glacial fed lakes and have a regular supply of water.

4. Lack of other sources of energy:

• Himachal Pradesh lacks other basic fossil energy minerals such as Coal petroleum and natural gas due to which the generation of hydroelectricity is most desired to meet the energy demand and for the overall development of the state.

5. Means of Transportation:

• The participation of private sector in the small hydro power projects also prove to be helpful in developing the roads in the interior parts of the state.

6. Nearness of the Market:

• It is very difficult to store hydroelectric power but it has to be transmitted to the areas of their demand.
• Generally, the transmissions of hydro – electric power can conveniently possible up to 500 kms but beyond which the transmission losses start.
• Himachal Pradesh, is by virtue of its geographical location have vast market for energy in the neighbouring plain states of India and is also a part of northern electric grid.

7. Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source. Hydroelectricity uses the energy of running water, without reducing its quantity, to produce electricity. Therefore, all hydroelectric developments, of small or large size, whether run of the river or of accumulated storage, fit the concept of renewable energy.
8. Recreational Opportunities. Impoundment hydropower creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational opportunities, notably fishing, swimming, and boating. Most water power installations are required to provide some public access to the reservoir to allow the public to take advantage of these opportunities.
9. Hydroelectricity means clean and cheap energy: for today and for tomorrow. With an average lifetime of 50 to 100 years, hydroelectric developments are long-term investments that can benefit various generations.
10. Hydroelectricity promotes guaranteed energy and price stability. River water is a domestic resource which, contrary to fuel or natural gas, is not subject to market fluctuations. In addition to this, it is the only large renewable source of electricity and its cost-benefit ratio, efficiency, flexibility and reliability assist in optimizing the use of thermal power plants.
11. Inland Waterways: e.g kol dam.

Problems:

1. Temperature: has close relationship to the generation of hydroelectricity. Though the rivers of Himachal Pradesh are perennial in nature but the rivers and lakes in the inner parts of it are subject to freezing during winter months. Due to which, the regular supply of water in the river reduces mainly in the Sutlej and the Chenab River.
2. Discharges of water: However, the discharge of water in them increases during the monsoon period as well as melting of snow in summers and thus lead to flash flood conditions.
3. Lack of infrastructural: The lack of infrastructural facilities prove to be detrimental in exploting its water resources in the past but the efforts are being made to develop this field so as to make this state a power state of the country.

4. High initial investment: Capital the generation of hydroelectricity is capital intensive in nature as it requires lots of initial investment for constructing dams, making underground tunnels.
5. Technical Knowledge:  The development of hydroelectricity requires highly efficient and technically competent persons.

6. Siltation and flow shortage: When water flows it has the ability to transport particles heavier than itself downstream. This has a negative effect on dams and subsequently their power stations, particularly those on rivers or within catchment areas with high siltation. Siltation can fill a reservoir and reduce its capacity to control floods along with causing additional horizontal pressure on the upstream portion of the dam. Eventually, some reservoirs can become completely full of sediment and useless or over-top during a flood and fail.

7. Problem of Muck Disposal: Muck disposal is another serious problem associated with construction of hydropower plants. Muck is the term used for any by-product from the construction activities, such as waste rock material generated during tunnel excavation to soil and/or excess building materials.
8. Failure risks: Because  large  conventional  dammed-hydro  facilities  hold  back  large volumes  of water,  a failure due  to poor  construction, terrorism,  or  other cause  can be catastrophic to downriver settlements and infrastructure. Dam failures have been some of the largest man-made disasters in history.
9. Methane Emissions:  Lower positive impacts are found in the tropical  regions, as  it has been noted that the reservoirs of power plants in tropical regions may produce substantial amounts of methane. This is due to plant material in flooded areas decaying in an anaerobic environment, and  forming  methane,  a potent  greenhouse  gas.  According to the  World Commission on  Dams  report,  where  the  reservoir  is  large compared  to  the  generating capacity (less than 100 watts per square metre of surface area).

10. Rehabilitation: Another disadvantage of hydroelectric dams is the need to relocate the people living where the reservoirs are planned.

Conclusion: There is need of detailed, independent and multidisciplinary inquiry into the alteration of the ecosystems due to hydropower projects. The planning and environmental governance need to put at the centre the local ecologies and impact on communities who inhabit these ecosystems.