SECI to Steer India’s New ₹12,585 Cr Small Hydropower Expansion

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued operational guidelines for a ₹12,585 crore programme aimed at accelerating the development of small hydropower projects across India over the next five years.

The scheme targets the addition of approximately 1,500 MW of small hydropower capacity through projects of up to 25 MW each, with a particular focus on hilly regions and northeastern states. To improve implementation and transparency, the ministry has also launched a dedicated digital portal for project monitoring and management.

Under the programme, projects located in Northeastern states and border districts will be eligible for financial assistance of up to ₹230 crore or 30% of project cost, while projects in other regions can receive support of up to ₹220 crore or 20% of project cost. The initiative is expected to attract around ₹15,000 crore in investments, create approximately 9,000 permanent jobs, and generate over five lakh person-days of employment during the construction phase.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will serve as the implementing agency, overseeing project execution, funding support, and eligibility requirements. The programme is expected to help unlock a portion of India’s estimated 21 GW small hydropower potential while expanding access to clean and decentralized energy in rural and remote areas.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.