BENEFITS OF HYDRO POWER PROJECTS: SCENARIO IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Power is one of the most important inputs for economic development. In addition to its widely recognized role as a catalyst to economic activity in different sectors of the economy, the power sector makes a direct and significant contribution to the economy in terms of revenue generation, employment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life. The increasing global demand for energy combined with the ongoing quest for clean, renewable energy has been a topic of perceived interest amongst countries of developed and developing status worldwide. With a population of well over a billion people a fast-growing economy, India electricity demand is expected to double over the next decade. Unlike other sources of energy, hydropower generation provides an abundance of unique benefits which can be those emanating from the generation of electricity itself or from side benefits associated with hydropower reservoirs along with sustainable development.