Hard to evaluate the construction of these mega-projects without exploring the counterfactuals. Where should Indians get their electricity from if not hydro power?
Well, in most countries wind and solar are rapidly growing compared to hydro. A more critical question for India is what else could replace the melting Himalayan glaciers and reducing snow cover, as a storage of water for the dry season?
Well, in most countries wind and solar are rapidly growing compared to hydro.
That’s more a consequence of hydro sites having been built out already. If you’ve got a prime candidate for development, you’ll find it difficult to get a better yield on the dollar over a smaller geographic footprint.
A more critical question for India is what else could replace the melting Himalayan glaciers and reducing snow cover, as a storage of water for the dry season?
Water conservation also a very big deal in India right now. Although the downstream impact of damming also tends to be droughts.
