W-136, Greater Kailash-I, New Dehi-110048.
The generation of electricity and demand for commercial energy are related to GDP and its annual growth of a country. India is no exception. The increase in GDP is matched by increase in the energy supply, the energy security, and its use efficiency. The commercial energy in India forms a significant share of the total energy. The Electricity, as energy, is increasing rapidly and manifold. The electricity sector has been opened up in India, to private sector for investments in generation, transmission and distribution. The increasing interest of private sector, especially in the generation shows good response but actual realisation of projects on ground still leaves much to be desired. The peculiar construction issues of Himalayan Geology have yet to draw good construction agencies with mechanised equipment, who can undertake construction of tunnels, grapple with the land slides and tackle environment issues like rehabilitation/resettlement of affected persons. Projects of size with installed capacity of 25 MW, classified Small Hydros are being allotted to private developers by the States, under a well documented policy, revised from time to time. The construction contractors to undertake such works are limited while lack appropriate tunneling equipment and teamwork. It is therefore of interest that more small hydro are on resale, and only few can take off. Diligence is required to select good contractors in the sector.
