The Centre’s decision to accord clearance to all large hydropower projects will work to the advantage of the State which is facing a perennial power deficit.
Power sector sources told The Hindu that the Union Power Ministry and the Ministry of Environment and Forests have taken a liberal view in giving clearance for large hydroelectric projects mainly in tune with the global practice to lay accent on green energy and address the problems thrown up by climate change.
The shift from a regimented approach has come as a great relief for Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) that is tapping all available options to bridge the yawning demand-supply gap.
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Of late, the board has ventured into a project to generate 1,000 MW from various solar models by 2021. Since sun is a very truant option, the board would need a strong hydroelectric source as a backup, sources say.
Sustained power generation from wind and solar is impossible. Fluctuations in the intensity of sunlight and speed of wind will affect the rate of generation.
Calibrated and sustained power generation is possible only from a hydroelectric station. Even thermal stations cannot be operated in the switch-on and switch-off mode to generate power in fits and starts. Hence, more hydel projects have become imperative for the State, especially when it is attempting at renewable options in the next two years, sources say. The Centre is understood to have decided to clear all applications for large hydroelectric projects, irrespective of their capacity. Hydroelectric projects have also been bracketed with renewable energy options. Also, power purchase from new large hydroprojects has been made obligatory.The State government had to shelve major project proposals such as Athirappilly, even after getting all mandatory clearances, in the face of stiff resistance from environmentalists. But the shift in Central stance has again offered a glimmer of hope for having new hydroelectric projects, sources say.
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