changeadminIndia’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organised a National Workshop on the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme here today.
The workshop brought together representatives from State Governments, State Nodal Agencies, public sector undertakings, developers, technical institutions, industry associations, and other stakeholders in the Small Hydro Power sector.
In his welcome address, Rajesh Kulhari, Joint Secretary, highlighted the significance of the newly approved Small Hydro Power Development Scheme in unlocking the country’s vast untapped hydro potential.
The newly launched scheme aims to support the installation of approximately 1,500 MW of new small hydro power capacity.
Mr Rajesh emphasised that Small Hydro Power in India is an important component of the country’s renewable energy portfolio and can contribute significantly to energy access, local economic development, grid stability and sustainable growth, particularly in hilly, remote and border regions.
He underscored the need for active participation of States and stakeholders to ensure the timely implementation of projects under the Scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Akash Tripathi, Managing Director, Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), highlighted the role of Small Hydro Power in supporting India’s clean energy transition and strengthening renewable energy diversification.
Mr Tripathi emphasised the importance of effective coordination among implementing agencies, developers, and State Governments for the successful execution of the Scheme, and assured SECI’s commitment to efficient implementation and facilitation of eligible projects as the National Programme Implementing Agency (NPIA) of the Scheme.
A major highlight of the workshop was the formal launch of the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme Guidelines (FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31) by Mr Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE, along with the dignitaries present on the dais.
The launch marks an important milestone in the revival and expansion of small hydro power in India.
With a total financial outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore, the Scheme provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for SHP projects, support for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), assistance to technical institutions, and support for capacity building, awareness generation, international cooperation and project monitoring activities.
Delivering the keynote address, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE, stated that India’s clean energy transition requires diversifying renewable energy sources and a greater focus on region-specific solutions.
He emphasised that Small Hydro Power is a mature, reliable and environmentally sustainable renewable energy technology that can play a crucial role in strengthening energy security, supporting rural development and promoting balanced regional growth.
He noted that despite an estimated Small Hydro Power potential of around 21 GW in the country, only a fraction has been harnessed so far, presenting a significant opportunity for future development.
The Secretary further stressed the importance of close collaboration among the Central and State Governments, developers, financial institutions, technical organisations, and local communities.
He encouraged States to proactively identify viable project sites, facilitate statutory clearances and create an enabling ecosystem for accelerated project implementation. He mentioned that the National Online SHP portal will be launched shortly.
During the technical session, officials from SECI delivered a detailed presentation on the key features of the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme Guidelines, covering eligibility criteria, the Central Financial Assistance structure, project timelines, implementation mechanisms, and institutional arrangements.
Participants were apprised of various provisions aimed at promoting project development, reducing tariffs and improving project viability, particularly in hilly and North-Eastern regions.
Officials from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), MNRE, subsequently demonstrated the online SHP Portal, which will serve as the digital platform for implementation of the Scheme.
The presentation covered portal architecture, registration procedures, application workflows, document submission processes, project monitoring mechanisms, fund release modules and grievance redressal features.
Stakeholders were informed that all activities under the Scheme will be undertaken through the online portal to ensure transparency, efficiency and real-time monitoring.
The workshop also featured an extensive interactive session, during which representatives from States, developers, industry associations, and other stakeholders raised queries and provided suggestions on project allotment, clearances, DPR preparation, financial assistance, implementation timelines, and portal functionalities. The discussions provided valuable feedback for the effective implementation of the Scheme.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Kulhari thanked all participants for their active engagement and constructive suggestions. He reiterated MNRE’s commitment to working closely with States and stakeholders to accelerate Small Hydro Power development in the country and ensure the successful implementation of the Scheme.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to leverage the opportunities offered by the new Scheme and contribute to the sustainable development of the Small Hydro Power sector as part of India’s broader renewable energy transition.
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