SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS OF SMALL HYDRO DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Energy is a vital contributor to the global economy and as a foundation for social and economic development. In India, hydropower of capacity 25 MW or below is termed as small hydro, considered to be a sustainable and environmentally well-amiable source of renewable energy. Out of its identified potential of over 21,000 MW, about 4,671 MW has been instated and 529 MW is under construction. Different studies show that small hydro power is ecofriendly, green, proven, cost-competitive, and sustainable energy technology, However, only the sustainability of SHP projects can ensure that these SHP projects have achieved the above-mentioned qualities effectively. Different methods and models for the analysis of sustainability have been used in studies. The most commonly used method is the method by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) incorporating social, environmental, and Economic Dimensions of the hydropower project. Lopez in 2019, introduced institutional development as the fourth dimension to the IHA method. A robust sustainability model is needed as an assessment tool for the operational phase of the SHP as most SHP projects have various technical, hydrological, environmental, and institutional issues. Therefore, a five-dimensional study for operational sustainability has been carried out in the present study. A total of forty-three (43) indicators comprising of six institutional, twelve socio-cultural, five technical, thirteen environmental, and six economic, have been used for conducting the operational sustainability of the SHP projects. A study was conducted for seven (7) commissioned SHP projects located in Himachal Pradesh, a hilly state of India. A sustainability index for each SHP project was developed using prioritized weightage for each indicator within its dimensions. Prioritization of indicators was done based on their importance and impact on the sustainable operation of the SHP project. The operational sustainability index of all seven SHP projects is found in the range between 0.44 to 0.54. Four SHP projects are above 0.5 bench mark hence considered sustainable whereas three SHP projects are below benchmark hence are considered not sustainable. The result shows that projects below 5 MW are not sustainable as per the present study due to a variety of reasons. The developers give more priority to the economic and technical issues of the project, whereas socio-cultural and environmental issues are in the least priority. The result obtained may be used as a model to examine the operational sustainability of other SHP projects and can be used for developing a guideline for the sustainable operation of small hydro power projects.