Every state in India should follow the example set by Arunachal Pradesh in setting up/ encouraging micro/ small hydro power plants, in varying capacities, all over the state. As you maybe aware, hydro energy is a renewable form of energy and does not contribute to carbon emissions/pollution. In areas where there are perinnial water streams/rivers, there is a lot of energy to be tapped 24x7, 365 days.
It is not always required to construct huge dams to tap the kinetic energy of moving water/ streams/ rivers. Small/ Micro hydro power plants enable people and Governments to generate electricity on a smaller scale (and smaller capacity).
With small/ micro hydro energy generating stations, it is not required to stall/halt the course of a river and there is no damage done to the aquatic life forms (flora and fauna). A separate (small) stream is dug along the sides (of a small stretch) of the river, water is made to flow through rotating hydro turbines that produces electricity, and then the water is allowed to rejoin the river. As you can see, there is no loss of water, either.
It is not always required to construct huge dams to tap the kinetic energy of moving water/ streams/ rivers. Small/ Micro hydro power plants enable people and Governments to generate electricity on a smaller scale (and smaller capacity).
With small/ micro hydro energy generating stations, it is not required to stall/halt the course of a river and there is no damage done to the aquatic life forms (flora and fauna). A separate (small) stream is dug along the sides (of a small stretch) of the river, water is made to flow through rotating hydro turbines that produces electricity, and then the water is allowed to rejoin the river. As you can see, there is no loss of water, either.
Arunachal Pradesh, with its numerous mountains/streams has actively encouraged small/micro hydro power projects and a separate Department of Hydropower development was established by the state govt. in 2003, exclusively for promoting hydro power projects in the state. This full-fledged department (with a Chief Engineer) undertakes activities like maintaining existing hydro projects, identifying potential sites for new hydro projects and establishing/operating hydro energy generation units.
According to their website, they currently have 63 micro/small hydro power plants in operation, with a capacity of 35.19 MW. In addition to this, 72 new hydro projects are under development and will add 91.9 MW of capacity shortly. New hydro power sites are identified, on an ongoing basis.
Arunachal Pradesh is very much on its way to achieving their dream of bringing electricity to all the villages in the state and becoming a future power house of the country. What stands out in their case is, they have pursued small/micro hydro power plant projects actively when other states (with ample hydro sites) were not concentrating on tapping hydro energy. In a sense, they are a pioneer of hydro energy in India and have set an example for other states to follow.
