India's NHPC Plans 20 Hydropower Projects, $5.6 Billion Investment in Myanmar

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--India's NHPC Limited (BSE:533098) (New Delhi), the government-owned hydropower generator, is planning 20 hydropower projects with an aggregate generating capacity of 12,466 megawatts (MW) to be constructed in the country between 2012 and 2017. These projects will be in addition to the $5.6 billion that NHPC will spend on building two hydroelectric projects in Myanmar during the period.

Of the 20 projects conceived, NHPC has received government clearance for seven, totaling a generating capacity of 9,651 MW. Officials said that the first project in neighboring Burma will be a 1,200-MW project at Tamanti, and the second will be a 640-MW project in the Shewezaye region. Both projects in Burma are being backed by India's ministry for external affairs as part of the country's economic engagement with the military regime in Myanmar. Officials said that since part of the power generated by these two projects will be imported back into India, a detailed cost-benefit study is being conducted before investments are finalized bilaterally between the two countries.

According to India's Planning Commission, the country's total hydroelectric generation potential is estimated at 63,000 MW, but current hydroelectric installed capacity is just 24% of the total power production capacity of 164,508 MW. However, following the implementation of the 20 hydro projects between 2012 and 2017, the share of hydro electricity in total electricity generated in the country will increase to about 30%.

As part of diversifying its generating portfolio, NHPC, through its wholly owned subsidiary NHDC Limited, is foraying into thermal power generation. NHDC has bagged the 1,320-MW Khandwa thermal power project in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It also has been offered the 1,320-MW Shahapur thermal power project, which is also in Madhya Pradesh. The total investment in these two projects is estimated to be about $2.3 billion.

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