Hydro news in Brief

Melting Glaciers on Indian subcontinent threaten hydro projects

Due to heavy snow fall and an ever accelerating rate of melting glaciers especially in the high mountains on the Indian subcontinent, many small scale hydro projects are now under threat.  This means that not only is an important source of power threatened, but also a source of water.

The statistics are alarming glaciers have melted by up to 21% since the early 60s.  A total of 466 glaciers have shrunk from 2,000 square kilometers to 1,628 square kilometers, according to a study that was carried out by the Indian Space Application Centre. Green house gases are primarily seen as the culprit for this.  Already in other countries in the Indian subcontinent small scale hydro projects have been swept away such as in Bhutan

Nepal looks to increase hydro energy to accelerate GDP growth

The Minister of the State for Water resources of Nepal has outlined an a plan under which hydropower looks to be one of the top sectors for economic development in Nepal.  He made these comments the inauguration of the 4 mW Khudi Hydropower station was.  Nepal is looking to increase power output by at least 5,000 mW by 2017 to allow the country to experience double digit GDP growth.  Foreign investment is being encouraged and already Hydro Quebec has a sent a delegation to explore potential projects for investment.