Towards rational trade offs between environment and hydro-power

Authors

V Ranganathan, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The economic importance of hydro-power has long been recognised the world over. In fact, a certain correlation between exploitation of hydropower potential and economic growth is clearly discernible. Developed nations of North America and Western Europe, for example, have exploited 83% and 98%, respectively, of their potential hydro- power, while relatively poorer East European, Asian and African countries have a much lower record, ranging between 8% and 36% (see chart). Recent trends in hydro-power development in India are a source of serious concern: for instance, the hydro-thermal ratio of power generation in the country has been steadily declining from 1:1 in the 1960s to roughly 1:2.6 in 1993-94. This, despite the current exploitation rate being only about 15% of the 472 bkwh hydro-potential.

Recommended Citation

Ranganathan, V (1996) "Towards rational trade offs between environment and hydro-power," IIMB Management Review: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 12.
Available at: https://research.iimb.ac.in/imr/vol8/iss1/12

Publication Date

3-1-1996

First Page

34

Last Page

39