CEA Refutes 'DPR-Approval Holding Back Execution of Hydroelectric Projects in India'

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources India (Delhi, India)--Rubbishing the argument that delay in granting of clearance for Detailed Project Reports (DPR) are holding back execution of hydroelectric projects in India, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) (New Delhi) has stated that statutory delays along with the delay in signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Financial Closure actually stalled development of hydro power projects.

According to CEA, it has so far granted approval to DPRs for 37 hydroelectric schemes, aggregating to a capacity of 24,015 megawatt (MW), but most of these projects could not be taken up for execution primarily due to pending Environment and Forest Clearances.

To shore up its case, the authority has elucidated that out of the 30 odd DPRs that have been cleared during the last six years, 10 DPRs have been granted concurrence within three to nine months from the date of submission. During the period 2007-08 to 2009-10, on an average 13 DPRs were submitted before the authority for examination. The number sharply increased to 27 in 2010-11, 37 in 2011-12 and to 52 during 2012-13. On an average four to five DPRs have been concurred by CEA each year from 2007-08 until 2010-11.

CEA has argued that assessment of DPRs for hydroelectric schemes entail intense technical investigation involving experts from various other multidisciplinary Survey and Investigation agencies such as Central Water Commission (CWC), Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS).

Thus, a well coordinated and combined effort is of utmost importance to ascertain the impact of such projects on the ecology and to ensure safety of the projects, as collapsing of civil structures like dams or barrages or any other water channel systems involved in hydroelectric and river valley projects may pose severe threat to the lives specially to the human habitations existing in vicinity of the project sites.

Further, according to CEA it is always crucial to take a profound look at the DPRs in order to ensure that adequate investigation has been done while preparing reports for hydroelectric projects, particularly that are proposed for development in the high-seismic and geologically fragile Himalayan Region. During the DPR- appraisal process GSI and CWC suggest additional drills and drifts, which may have implication on finalizing safe layouts for various components of hydroelectric schemes.

CEA has also asserted that a detailed examination of the DPR helps in optimization of the components and cost of the projects and it also helps in reducing delays in the execution stage. The authority has noted that submission of inadequate information has held back DPRs for a slew of projects mostly proposed by the private sector developers.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.