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ICHPSD-2015
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF HYDRO POWER- KEY SOLUTIONS
TO CHALLENGES & PERCEPTIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION
Anupam Mishra
Senior General Manager
(Hydro-Power)
[email protected]
WAPCOS Limited, India
Amit Gupta
Senior Project Manager
[email protected]
Adarsh Kumar S
Engineer
[email protected]
WAPCOS Limited, Bhutan
WAPCOS Limited, Bhutan
ABSTRACT
The sustainable growth of nation is dependent on exploitation of available energy resources to
its fullest and in particular hydropower, as a clean, green & renewable source of energy, which
is an emergent requirement of any developing nation. Severe power shortage is one of the
greatest obstacles to India’s development. Over 40 percent of the country’s people, most living
in the rural areas do not have access to electricity and one-third of Indian businesses cite
expensive and unreliable power as one of their main business constraints. India’s energy
shortfall of 10 percent (rising to 13.5 percent at peak demand) also works to keep the poor
entrenched in poverty. Power shortages and disruptions prevent farmers from improving their
agricultural incomes, deprive children of opportunities to study, and adversely affect the
health of families in India’s tropical climate. Poor electricity supply thus stifles economic
growth by increasing the costs of doing business in India, reducing productivity, and
hampering the development of industry and commerce which are the major creators of
employment in the country. Presently, the generating installed capacity is only about 27% of
hydropower potential i.e. about 40 GW against the potential of about 150 GW, which is quite
discouraging and pathetic. Hydropower plants as the banks of water & energy security, help
achieve climate change mitigation goals by generating clean, green, renewable, sustainable &
affordable energy, with low carbon emissions and therefore, environmentally friendly, to a
larger extent. As climate change adaptation measures become more urgent, dams and
reservoirs can increase the capacity to deal with extreme weather events, with storages, thus
balancing water flows during floods & droughts. It implies, they aid in unwinding the wrath of
climate change. On its flipside, nothing is absolute and everything comes at a price, and so is
development through hydropower. In spite of glaring major benefits, the fact remains that
Dams significantly impact on freshwater ecosystems and conflicting demands of water
requirement for agriculture. Environmental and social impacts, which are subjected to
widespread criticism are inevitable but can be surely mitigated, to a reasonable extent, which
is elaborately presented in the paper. Problems & solutions go hand in hand. The pace of
Hydropower development in India has slowed down especially in last few decades. Slow
development is primarily attributed to long gestation period, lack of funds, complex geology
of the projects etc. Therefore, to foster the generation of hydropower, at relatively faster pace,
for making up for the time already lost, it necessitates use of innovative practices in planning,
design & construction aspects, which is beaded in a typical model “7M MODEL”, devised
based on the lessons learnt during the planning, execution and operation of successful Mega
hydro-electric projects, in India & abroad. This is an assured success mantra, as a blue print
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for accelerated harnessing of hydropower potential, paving a way to water & energy security,
to ensure sustainable development by an large.
1.
INTRODUCTION
Spurred by sustained economic growth, rise in income levels, and increased availability of
goods and services, India’s incremental energy demand for the next decade is projected to be
among the highest in the world. This increasing energy demand also translates into higher
demand for electricity. It has been estimated that in order to support a growth rate of the gross
domestic product (GDP) of around 8% per annum, the rate of growth of power supply needs to
be over 10% annually. This calls for rapid development of the country’s power sector, taking
into account, inter alia, considerations of long-term sustainability, environmental aspects and
social concerns.
India is endowed with rich hydropower potential; it ranks fifth in the world in terms of usable
potential. However, less than 25% has been developed or taken up for development. Thus
hydropower is one of the potential sources for meeting the growing energy needs of the
country. A judicial mix of hydropower in the energy portfolio can also contribute to energy
security, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, meeting the peak demand and also increased
flexibility in grid operation. Besides, projects may also be conceived as multi-purpose ones
contributing not only to power but also to irrigation, flood control, navigation, etc. The
Government of India is, therefore, giving special emphasis to accelerated hydropower
development in its power development plans.
Hydropower plants as the banks of water & energy security, help achieve climate change
mitigation goals by generating clean, green, renewable, sustainable & affordable energy, with
low carbon emissions and therefore, environmentally friendly, to a larger extent. As climate
change adaptation measures become more urgent, dams and reservoirs can increase the
capacity to deal with extreme weather events, with storages, thus balancing water flows during
floods & droughts. It implies, they aid in unwinding the wrath of climate change. Most Dams
worldwide have been built for irrigation purposes, followed by hydropower generation, water
supply and flood control, which resolves water & energy security directly, in general. The
socio-economic development in hydropower centers can’t be ruled out, which in turn is direct
boost to the economic development of the region.
It is the Hydropower, which has definitely a major role to play for efficient water
management, besides bringing the prosperity to the nation through energy generation. Apart
from being clean green renewable, sustainable and affordable source of energy, it aids in
mitigating the climate changes through moderating the adversities of climate changes in
various fashions. Therefore, inspite of the socio-environmental challenges perceived with the
development of the hydropower, the enormous benefits accruing out of it for upliftment of the
society must not be ignored, duly addressing the challenges through various interventions and
practices. This paper attempts to breach the notions conceived & the belief systems associated
with development of hydropower and emphasizes upon acceleration in hydropower generation
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more responsibly.
This can be achieved by following an innovative model developed to ensure speedier
harnessing of hydropower as an assured success mantra “7M”. This paper elaborates the
various aspects & elements of this successful model and sets a blueprint to exploit the balance
hydropower potential of the nation, as a way forward for energy & water security in a
changing climate. Prior to dwelling into the various aspects of “7M Model”, it is imperative to
appreciate the complex problems & challenges of water & energy security and its sensitivity
to the climate change. Various aspects dealing with the key issues & challenges associated
with development of sustainable hydropower project and thereafter, hydropower emerging as
an effective tool to protect & mitigate these challenges for a better future of mankind, by
establishing itself as sustainable source of energy, has been clearly brought out in the
successive paragraphs elaborately.
2.
HYDROPOWER - RAY OF HOPE TOWARDS WATER & ENERGY
SECURITY
The ever increasing pollution & its associated affects have forced to go towards the renewable
energy. Renewable energy has huge potential to provide solution to increased energy crisis
and it is the key factor to the future of energy, food and economic security. India is a growing
economy and so is its energy requirement. But we don't produce enough energy to meet even
our current needs. With depleting fossil fuel reserves and concerns about its environmental
impact, renewable energy is the only long-term solution.
It is the world’s need for energy – to run everything from factories to cars – that is the cause of
climate pain. It is also a fact that after years of talk no country has been able to de-link its
growth from CO2 emissions. It is worth mentioning that CO2 emissions through coal based
thermal power plants are contributing to long lasting effects of climate change whereas
emission of Methane gases from submergence of flora by reservoir impounding of
hydropower plants contributes to the short term effects. This necessitates thorough pondering
over the rightful selection of the type of energy to be harnessed for meeting the societal needs.
It is old renewable – hydroelectric power, which makes the world light up with minimal
impact on climate change.
The basic philosophy of power plant and a modern day hydropower project is presented in
photos 1 & 2. Hydropower scheme lightening up a million lives, in one way or other is
represented in Figure 1.
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Photo 1: Basic Philosophy of power plant
Photo 2: Hydroelectric power project
Fig. 1: Hydropower scheme – Lighting Millions of Lives
Hydropower plants as the banks of water & energy security, help achieve climate change
mitigation goals by generating clean, green, renewable, sustainable & affordable energy, with
low carbon emissions and therefore, environmentally friendly, to a larger extent. It deals with
mitigating extreme weather events, with storages, thus balancing water flows during floods &
droughts. It implies, they aid in unwinding wrath of climate change, besides ensuring food
security through regulated irrigation releases, on priority.
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Fig. 2: Hydropower – Ray of Hope for Energy & Water Security
The various aspects substantiating these facts, establishing Hydropower to be a ray of hope as
a step towards energy & water security in changing climate is enumerated in the successive
paragraphs.
3.
HYDROPOWER – A BOUQUET OF BENEFITS
There are several favorable features of hydropower. Anywhere rain falls, there will be rivers.
If a particular section of river has the right terrain to form a reservoir, it may be suitable
for dam construction. No fossil fuels are required to produce the electricity, and the earth's
hydrologic cycle naturally replenishes the "fuel" supply. Therefore no pollution is released
into the atmosphere and no waste that requires special containment is produced. Since "water
is a naturally recurring domestic product and is not subject to the whims of foreign suppliers,"
there is no worry of unstable prices, transportation issues, production strikes, or other national
security issues.
Hydropower is very convenient because it can respond quickly to fluctuations in demand. A
dam's gates can be opened or closed on command, depending on daily use or gradual
economic growth in the community. The production of hydroelectricity is often slowed in the
night time when people use less energy. When a facility is functioning, no water is wasted or
released in an altered state; it simply returns unharmed to continue the hydrologic cycle. The
reservoir of water resulting from dam construction, which is essentially stored energy, can
support fisheries and preserves, and provide various forms of water-based recreation for locals
and tourists. Land owned by the hydroelectric company is often open to the public for hiking,
hunting, and skiing. Therefore, "hydropower reservoirs contribute to local economies. Not to
mention the economic stimulation provided by employment.
Due to the following well known benefits, hydroelectric power has been historically the
preferred option for power generation.

It is totally renewable and non-polluting and can also provide a more stable price
regime over a long period of time.
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






4.
Long life – The first hydro project completed in 1897 is still in operation at
Darjeeling.
It has remarkably higher efficiency (over 90%) compared to thermal (35%) and gas
(around 50%).
It has inherent capability for quick starting, stopping, load variations, etc. and is thus
ideally suited for meeting the peaking demand; thus, is useful for enhancing reliability
and stability of the power supply system.
Generation cost is not only inflation free but it also reduces with time.
Development of hydro power projects is also in many cases associated with irrigation,
drinking water, flood control, pisciculture, navigation, recreation and tourism benefits.
Being located in remote regions, hydro power installations lead to development of
remote and backward areas.
Pumped storage plants can effectively regulate the energy availability during the day
by pumping up water into the reservoir during off-peak hours when there is surplus
energy in the grid and generating power from this stored water when needed during
peak hours. They can also quickly reverse their mode of operation from pumping to
generating and vice versa. Thus pumped storage plants can plan an important role in
meeting the peak demand and also in improving the grid stability and load factor of
thermal power stations.
HYDROPOWER - BOON TO BOOST ENERGY & WATER SECURITY IN
CHANGING CLIMATE
Hydropower plants help achieve climate change mitigation goals by generating clean
renewable energy. Currently 20% of all electricity worldwide and 80% of the total electricity
from renewable sources is generated by hydropower. As climate change adaptation measures
become more urgent, dams and reservoirs can increase the capacity to deal with extreme
weather events. They offer run-off storage to regulate flooding in times of heavy rainfall and
increase the capacity to harvest water that is needed in times of drought. It is estimated that, by
2025, 80% of additional food production will need to come from irrigated land.
In the past, hydropower has acted as a catalyst for economic and social development by
providing both energy and water management services, and it can continue to do so in the
future. Hydro storage capacity can mitigate freshwater scarcity by providing security during
lean flows and drought for drinking water supply, irrigation, flood control and navigation
services. Multipurpose hydropower projects may have an enabling role beyond the electricity
sector as a financing instrument for reservoirs that help to secure freshwater availability.
The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) register of dams reveals that most
dams worldwide have been built for irrigation purposes, followed by hydropower generation,
water supply and flood control. Water stored in a reservoir is used to irrigate agricultural
crops. It is estimated that 30-40% of irrigated lands worldwide, which contribute 12-16% of
global food production, rely on dams. As a positive side effect, dam structures often offer
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flood protection by regulating water discharge and balancing runoff differences, ensuring
water security.
Hydropower can provide important services to electric power systems. Storage hydropower
plants can often be operated flexibly, and therefore are valuable to electric power systems.
Specifically, with its rapid response load-following and balancing capabilities, peaking
capacity and power quality attributes, hydropower can play an important role in ensuring
reliable electricity service. In an integrated system, reservoir and pumped storage hydropower
can be used to reduce the frequency of start-ups and shutdowns of thermal plants; to maintain
a balance between supply and demand under changing demand or supply patterns and thereby
reduce the load-following burden of thermal plants; and to increase the amount of time that
thermal units are operated at their maximum thermal efficiency, thereby reducing carbon
emissions. In addition, storage and pumped storage hydropower can help reduce the
challenges of integrating variable renewable resources such as wind, solar photovoltaics and
wave power. Hydropower has among the best conversion efficiencies of all known energy
sources (about 90% efficiency, water to wire). It requires relatively high initial investment, but
has a long lifespan with very low operation and maintenance costs.
Hydropower plants do not consume the water that drives the turbines. The water, after power
generation, is available for various other essential uses. In fact, a significant proportion of
hydropower projects are designed for multiple purposes. In these instances, the dams help to
prevent or mitigate floods and droughts, provide the possibility to irrigate agriculture, supply
water for domestic, municipal and industrial use, and can improve conditions for navigation,
fishing, tourism or leisure activities. One aspect often overlooked when addressing
hydropower and the multiple uses of water is that the power plant, as a generator of revenue,
in some cases can help pay for the facilities required to develop other water uses that might
not generate sufficient direct revenues to finance their construction.
5.
HYDROPOWER - AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO COMBAT WRATH OF
CLIMATE CHANGE
Hydropower has traditionally been considered environmentally friendly because it represents a
clean and renewable energy source. The term renewable refers to the hydrologic cycle that
circulates water back to our rivers, streams, and lakes each year. At hydroelectric projects, this
water is used as fuel to generate electricity. In contrast, fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, or oil
must be extracted from the earth and burned to produce electricity. The term clean is also used
because production of electricity with hydropower does not pollute the air, contribute to acid
rain or ozone depletion because of carbon dioxide emissions, or (like nuclear power) leave
highly toxic waste that is difficult to dispose of.
Moreover, the problem of disposal of tailings of thermal power projects in disposal areas,
without compromising on environmental quality is a major question which need not be
answered in clean hydropower schemes and therefore, is a great sigh of relief for
environmental concerns.
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Furthermore, hydropower does not require water for cooling (as in the case of thermal power
plants) or, as in the case of bio-fuels, for growth. About 75% of water reservoirs in the world
were built for irrigation, flood control and urban water supply schemes, and many could have
small hydropower generation retrofits added without additional environmental impacts.
Combined with political and institutional strategies, multipurpose dams offer important
solutions to climate change adaption needs, especially in the vulnerable regions.
Dams helps in reducing the wrath of climate changes by acting as the water flow regulators
during the extremities of climate such as drought and floods, besides ensuring the availability
of water for irrigation during dry seasons. Reservoirs can provide important resting and
feeding areas for birds and quality habitat for bass and other fish species. Reservoirs at times
works as the carbon sink by absorbing the carbon dioxide gases from the atmosphere i.e.
carbon sequestration and helps in reducing the long term effect of CO2 on the climate change.
To recapitulate, Dams provide a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits,
including recreation, flood control, water supply, hydroelectric power, waste management,
river navigation, and wildlife habitat, which derives prime importance in today’s changing
climate scenario, as outlined below:
Flood Control: In addition to helping farmers, dams help prevent the loss of life and property
caused by flooding. Flood control dams impound floodwaters and then either release them
under control to the river below the dam or store or divert the water for other uses. For
centuries, people have built dams to help control devastating floods. Thus protecting from the
environmental hazard of loss of life and property by floods and long term effects on climate
change.
Photo 3: Hydroelectric power plant- An effective tool
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Water Storage: Dams create reservoirs that supply clean & safe water for many uses,
including industrial, municipal, and agricultural. Thus promoting health and hygiene
and maintaining the clean environment.
Irrigation: Larger percent of cropland is irrigated using water stored in reservoirs &
dams. Thousands of jobs are tied to producing crops grown with irrigated water.
Electrical Generation: Dams, in India produce over 39 GW of renewable electricity and meet
about 17% percent of the Nation's power needs. Hydropower is considered clean because it
does not contribute to global warming, air pollution, acid rain, or ozone depletion.
Debris Control: In some instances, dams provide enhanced environmental protection, such as
the retention of hazardous materials and detrimental sedimentation. The many benefits of
hydro-electricity, including irrigation and water supply resource creation, rapid response to
grid demand fluctuations due to peaks or intermittent renewable, recreational lakes, and flood
control, as well as the negative aspects, need to be evaluated for any given development.
6.
HYDROPOWER - LOOKING FLIP SIDE OF
ASSOCIATED PERCEPTIONS WITH CHALLENGES
THE
COIN
&
On its flipside, nothing is absolute and everything comes at a price, and so is development
through hydropower. In spite of glaring major benefits, the fact remains that Dams
significantly impact on freshwater ecosystems and conflicting demands of water requirement
for agriculture.
Large dam projects are subject to widespread criticism due to their social and environmental
impacts. The construction of dams and the creation of reservoirs often lead to the resettlement
of a high number of people, as well as to major changes in the river ecosystem. This criticism
equally applies to multi-purpose dams. Figure 3, depicts the perception of flipside of
hydropower.
Fig. 3: Flipside issues of Hydropower- perception
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The problem and solution go hand in hand; following table best illustrates the
challenges/issues faced for development of the hydropower projects & the solution/ mitigate
measures for the respective issues.
S.
No.
1
Issues/ Challenges
Solution
Remarks
Stratification in Reservoirs
Selective withdrawal gates
Gates built at
different depths,
allowing water to
pass through these
gates
2
Supersaturation
Spill Deflectors designed and
installed in dams
Design Modification
in Spill way
3
Sedimentation
Permanent Drawdown &
flushing off strategies
Operational
Modifications
4
Erosion upstream
Plantation of Riparian
vegetation
Operational
Modifications
5
Fish Migration Barrier i.e.
to Spawning grounds
Fish passages such as Fish
Ladders, Juvenile Fish transport
Modification in
Physical structure
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S.
No.
Issues/ Challenges
Solution
Remarks
located upstream
facilities, Installation of Fish
Lifts, Fish Friendly Turbines,
Flow Augmentation & selective
release of water
6
Socio-Economic Issues (R
& R Problem)
Participatory Approach:
participation of all relevant
stakeholders, including the
affected communities, at an
early stage
Planning Stage
requisites
7
Emission of Green House
Gases from Reservoirs
Extraction of Methane Gas
from the Dams
Operational
Modifications
Methane capture system for
Hydropower Dams
8
Conflicting water demands
Improved monitoring of
upstream flows and rainfall,
Using both terrestrial
instrumentation and satellite
remote sensing to improve the
benefits derived from both
hydropower and agriculture
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Planning Stage &
Operational stage
requisites
International Conference on Hydropower for Sustainable Development
Feb 05-07, 2015, Dehradun
S.
No.
9
Issues/ Challenges
Solution
Remarks
Ecological & climate
change issue
Basin-wide coordinated
approaches for all dams on a
river system: important way to
sustain ecosystems
Planning Stage
requisites
Multi-purpose dam projects may fit well into regional development programmes: e.g. to
improve food production, electricity supply, and the general physical and socio-economic
infrastructure in rural areas. Environmental and social impacts are inevitable but they can be
mitigated. For multi-purpose dams, conflict of interest between water allocation for power
generation & irrigation can be resolved by careful consideration & coordination amongst the
different users and judicious trade-offs between effectiveness and productivity. They, if well
planned and managed, provide an important option to meeting some of today's major
development challenges. By providing clean and reliable energy, storage volume to improve
drinking water supply or agricultural food production, and enhanced flood control, they
contribute to energy, water and food security - and to human security in general. Yes, for
obvious numerous reasons, indeed, hydropower, in today’s scenario is viewed as a game
changer.
7.
HYDROPOWER – BURIAL GROUND IN MIDST OF ENDLESS DEBATE
Severe power shortage is one of the greatest obstacles to India’s development. Over 40
percent of the country’s people, most living in the rural areas do not have access to electricity
and one-third of Indian businesses cite expensive and unreliable power as one of their main
business constraints.
India’s energy shortfall of 10 percent (rising to 13.5 percent at peak demand) also works to
keep the poor entrenched in poverty. Power shortages and disruptions prevent farmers from
improving their agricultural incomes, deprive children of opportunities to study, and adversely
affect the health of families in India’s tropical climate.
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Poor electricity supply thus stifles economic growth by increasing the costs of doing business
in India, reducing productivity, and hampering the development of industry and commerce
which are the major creators of employment in the country.
Presently, the generating installed capacity is only about 27% of hydropower potential i.e.
about 40 GW against the potential of about 150 GW, which is quite discouraging and pathetic.
There has be a rest to the debate on pros & cons of the hydropower projects, with a unified
approach & efforts to implement the already identified mitigation strategies, before this
promising energy sector turns to a burial ground.
Fig. 4: Hydropower in a challenging situation
8.
ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROPOWER – NEED OF AN
HOUR TO ACT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
The demand for power has been increasing in India due to the rapid industrial growth in India.
For last several years, Indian GDP has been growing annually in the range, 7 -9 percent. Over
the last 10 years, energy and peak demand shortage averaged around 8% and 12%
respectively. For the Indian economy to grow at 9% annually, additional capacity of 60 GW
must be added every five years. Government’s promise of 100% electricity to domestic users
will also push up consumption.
Chart 1:Present installed capacity against total potential of Hydropower in India
Indian government plans to tap the full identified potential of hydro power (about 150 GW) in
the country by about 2025. In order to achieve that, a National Policy on Hydropower
Development was launched in 1998. The initiative involved identifying potential locations for
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future hydro power projects throughout the country. In total, 399 potential projects were
identified which it aims to exploit by 2025. Most hydropower projects fall in the Himalayan
region of North and North-East India in just a few Indian states – notably Arunachal Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Hydropower generation has been an important component within the overall electricity
portfolio of the country. As on date, of the total installed capacity of 229 Gigawatts (GW) in
the country, hydropower’s contribution is around 40 GW or 18% of the total. Chart 1 shows
the present condition of the hydropower in India. At the same time, hydropower generation
has failed to keep pace with the rapid increase in thermal power generation. As a result there
has been a consistent decline in the proportion of hydropower generation within the total grid
connected generation in the country, drastically reducing gap between actual & ideal hydro:
thermal ratio of 40:60. Chart 2 shows the source wise share of power sector in India.
While hydropower’s contribution in the overall portfolio has declined over the years, the
sector is beginning to make a comeback - at least in the vision articulated in plan documents.
While only 8237 megawatts (MW) of hydropower generation was envisioned in the Eleventh
Five Year Plan, three times that amount (around 25316 MW) are planned during the Twelfth
Plan (2012-2017), followed by 31000 MW and 36494 MW in the Thirteenth (2017-2022) and
Fourteenth (2022-2027) Plans, respectively. That is, each of the five year plans starting from
the Twelfth to the Fourteenth is expected to add new hydropower capacity of around 30000
MW, with the aim of harnessing the entire hydropower potential of the country by 2027,
which is need of an hour.
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However, a word of caution at this juncture that this renewed focus on hydroelectric projects
may result in a situation of “rapid” hydropower development rather than social and
environmentally “responsible” hydropower development. Therefore, although hydropower
will continue to remain an important source for electricity, focus needs to be on “responsible”
hydropower development, through various mitigation measures, which would ensure more
stable & sustainable investment in the sector over the medium-to-long term. Chart 3, focuses
on the proposed plans for total Hydropower development in India.
Therefore, to meet country’s energy demand at faster pace, development of mega hydropower
projects are required, which warrants the need of innovative practices in construction aspects
integrating project management, engineering & quality management tools & techniques along
with imbibing suitable mitigation measures addressing the flip side of hydro sector, as key to
success for making up the loss, as far as possible.
These pioneering practices in various disciplines across diverse sectors are blended and
incorporated in an innovative hydropower model, envisaged & devised for accelerated
development of hydropower.
9.
HYDROPOWER THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE MODEL “7M” FOR
ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT - AN ASSURED SUCCESS MANTRA
An innovative model named “7M” is devised on the basis of the experiences gained & lessons
learnt during the planning, execution and operation of successful Mega hydro-electric projects
across the globe, including India. The 7M model is well knit structure, which would ensure
timely and successful completion of any Hydro-electric project involving various aspects on
technical, financial, infrastructure and policy matters. The 7 M’s of 7 M model are Master
Planning, Money, Manpower, Machinery/Material, Moment, Monitoring and Mid-course
correction, which steers the fate of project. It can definitely play a lead role for setting up of
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blue print towards accelerated harnessing of hydropower potential and ensure the path of
achieving the dream of 100% exploitation of hydropower potential.
This 7M model is time tested which is the backbone of a success story in construction and
commissioning of mega hydroelectric project in Bhutan i.e. Tala hydroelectric project (1020
MW), the project located in the toughest rugged terrain of Himalayas, besides backed up by
similar numerous projects. Many similar ongoing examples, which are targeted to be
completed on scheduled timeframes, are also following the similar principles of 7M Model.
Fig. 5: An Innovative – “7M Model” for accelerated development of Hydropower
The role of every “M” for successful & timely completion of project, at an accelerated pace is
presented as follows:
9.1
MASTER PLANNING/ PROJECT PLANNING
The First foremost “M” of 7 M model “Master Planning “specifically focuses Planning
issues covering Technical, Infrastructural, Financial and Policy aspects of the Model. More
specifically, Model envisages the following under Master Planning/ Project Planning:
• Reliable, Realistic and Bankable Detailed Project Report
• Squeezing gestation period between DPR stage and Tendering Stage (including award of
work) by accelerating start of pre-construction activities
• Resolution of inter-state disputes within the DPR stage only
• Set up single window clearance for hydro projects within six months of the submission of
proposal.
• Selection of Project Developer i.e. Private Developer or Government Agency as
applicable.
• Capacity building for development of competent indigenous Agencies and Manpower
including technical knowledge development
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•
9.2
Address to Clear and community oriented R & R policy
MONEY
The second “M” i.e. “Money” is a fluid in which others “M”s are supposed to swim and act as
a facilitator. It focuses on the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9.3
Creation of Special-purpose funding vehicle, “Corpus Fund”
Investment attracting concession agreements to attract big private players in hydropower
development
A clear road map for encouragement of Public private partnership (PPP)
Exclusion of cost of access roads from project cost, as development of hydro projects
triggers economic and commercial activities around the project site and results in
economic benefit to the State
Cost of security may be borne by the State/Centre in troubled areas and infested by
militancy and terrorist activities
Exemption of royalty on construction material, since the hydroelectric projects provide
12% free power to State
Relaxation in custom duty for imported equipment and machinery for Mega projects.
MANPOWER
The third “M” i.e. “Manpower” is truly responsible for transforming the plans into action for
speedier and quality construction. Adequate manpower equipped with the latest knowhow and
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technology from project management level to grass root level determines the fate of
implementation of activities as envisaged.
Photo 4: Manpower
9.4
MACHINERY / MATERIAL
The fourth “M” i.e. “Machinery / Material” implies the placement of “Right machinery at
right place”. Rightful selection of state of art equipment which would suit the construction
methodology capable of executing an activity within the stipulated time frame governs the
implementation in an intended manner.
Photo 5: Use of Latest state of Art technology
To quote, about 80m excavation below river bed under upstream coffer dam of
Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project for arresting seepage in the construction pit of Main
dam can only be handled with the latest state of art technology machinery i.e. rock cutters
mounted on giant cranes by constructing plastic concrete Cut- Off-Wall.
The status of equipment i.e. its age / usage is also an important factor which determines the
efficiency of execution of an activity therefore the supply of brand new equipment adequate
for mobilization, by the developer on the behalf of the contracting agency prior to award of
works can resolve this issue to reasonable extent.
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The fourth ‘M’ further emphasizes on the detailed planning and identification of the
availability of construction material prior to construction and supply of the construction
material to contracting agency.
9.5
MOMENT
The fifth “M” i.e. “Moment” is the time schedule envisaged to ensure the completion of
project within the anticipated deadlines i.e. race against time. Besides, following the time
schedules stringently in parallel mode during the course of execution of project, innovative
techniques have been devised to utilize the time available during the preconstruction phase of
any project i.e. time available between approval of DPR to mobilization of executing
agencies/contractors at site for taking up the project.
It focuses on the pre-construction activities to be completed prior to award of works such as
construction of roads & bridges, construction facilities & construction power by the Project
Developer prior to inviting tenders and start of main civil works.
Photo 6: Pre-Construction activities - Construction of Road, Bridges and Contractor
facilities
During implementation of project, “Moment” is truly responsible for squeezing
Construction time with appropriate Construction Management technique and Construction
Technology. For example, Roller Compacted Concrete has gained significance over
Conventional Vibrated Concrete for construction of Dams, due to its speedier construction.
Photo 7: Roller Compacted Concrete for Dams
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9.6
MONITORING
The sixth “M” i.e. “Monitoring” is the continuous monitoring of all activities pertaining to
planning, design and construction are required for meeting the scheduled target on day to day
basis. Monitoring of project for efficient running of project, stringent monitoring at various
levels is the key for successful implementation of the project. Monitoring through regular
meetings with various stakeholders i.e. project developers, consultants & executing agencies
for analysing the project’s progress and comparing with targets set forth, in achieving the
scheduled milestones.
Photo 8: Monitoring through regular Meetings
9.8
MID - COURSE CORRECTION
The seventh “M” i.e. “Mid - course correction” is truly responsible for the following:
•
•
•
Review of project implementation responsive to geological surprises, without
a moment’s hesitation
The availability of alternatives in respect of design and technology during the
construction stage may serve as additional tool for mid-course correction
Project Optimization based on Concurrent Geological findings
As evident, the 7M Model, well integrating state-of-the-art innovative practices adopted in
planning, design & construction aspects may be viewed as a typical role model for ensuring
accelerated hydropower development all across the nation, irrespective of the magnitude or
complexity of project.
10.
CONCLUSION
In the past, hydropower has acted as a catalyst for economic and social development by
providing both energy and water management services, and it can continue to do so in the
future. Hydro storage capacity can mitigate freshwater scarcity by providing security during
lean flows and drought for drinking water supply, irrigation, flood control and navigation
services. Multipurpose hydropower projects may have an enabling role beyond the electricity
sector as a financing instrument for reservoirs that help to secure freshwater availability.
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Environmental and social issues will continue to affect hydropower deployment opportunities.
The local social and environmental impacts of hydropower projects vary depending on the
project’s type, size and local conditions and are often controversial. Some of the more
prominent impacts include changes in flow regimes and water quality, barriers to fish
migration, loss of biological diversity, and population displacement. Impoundments and
reservoirs stand out as the source of the most severe concerns but can also provide multiple
beneficial services beyond energy supply.
While lifecycle assessments indicate very low carbon emissions, there is currently no
consensus on the issue of land use change-related net emissions from reservoirs. Experience
gained during past decades in combination with continually advancing sustainability
guidelines and criteria, innovative planning based on stakeholder consultations and scientific
know-how can support high sustainability performance in future projects. Transboundary
water management, including the management of hydropower projects, establishes an arena
for international cooperation that may contribute to promoting sustainable economic growth,
energy security and water security.
Environmental and social impacts, which are subjected to widespread criticism and are
inevitable but, which can be tackled by rightful selection of protection, mitigation &
enhancement measures.Judicious introduction of structural features, operational changes &
other transportation devices etc. Problems & solutions go hand in hand, which has been
clearly brought out in this paper.
In this backdrop, through a lens of an Hydropower expert, to foster the generation of
hydropower, at relatively faster pace, for making up for the already lost time, it necessitates
use of innovative practices in planning, design & construction aspects, which is beaded in a
typical model “7M MODEL”, devised based on the lessons learnt during the planning, design,
execution and operation of successful Mega hydro-electric projects, in India & abroad.
This is an assured success mantra, as a blue print for accelerated harnessing of hydropower
potential, striking a judicious balancing with climate change & food security aspects and
mechanism to ensure sustainable development of hydropower.
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