GUWAHATI, April 20 � The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is planning a basin-wise review study to reassess the hydroelectric potential of the country. The study is estimated to cost around Rs 84 crore and will take nearly four years to complete, reports the energy sector news portal energylineindia.com in a latest issue.
The news assumes significance for the NE region of the country as it has been regarded as the future powerhouse of the country. The Central Electricity Authority has identified more than 150 sites for large hydropower projects in the Brahmaputra Basin alone.
The news portal said the country is at present depending on a 20-year-old study to know its hydroelectric power potential. The first study to assess the hydroelectric potential of the country was undertaken between 1953 and 1959.
This study came to the conclusion that the country had a hydropower potential of 42 million KW from a total of about 250 schemes. The last study conducted on the subject projected the country�s hydropower potential as 1,48,701 MW from a total of 845 schemes, said the news portal.
The CEA has proposed to constitute a committee to finalise the terms of reference and select the executing agency for the study. The committee will comprise of representatives from the CEA, Central Water Commission, Geological Survey of India, Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Agency, Indian Meteorological�Department, Ministry of Environment and Forest etc. the news portal said.