📌 Topic 03 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Renewable Energy Technology

Hydro, Tidal & Geothermal Energy in India

Bhakra Nangal, Gulf of Kutch tidal, Puga Valley geothermal — complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.

💧 Hydroelectric Power in India

Parameter	Details
Share in electricity	~12% of India’s electricity
Installed capacity	~47 GW (2024)
Largest hydro state	Himachal Pradesh (highest hydro potential)
Largest project	Bhakra Nangal (Sutlej river, HP/Punjab) — 1,325 MW
Highest dam	Tehri Dam (Bhagirathi, Uttarakhand) — 261m — 2,400 MW
Pumped Hydro Storage	Tehri Pumped Storage (1,000 MW) — grid-scale energy storage

🌊 Tidal Energy in India

Tidal energy uses rise and fall of tides to generate electricity
Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat) = highest tidal energy potential in India (tidal range up to 8 metres)
Gulf of Khambhat (Gujarat) = also significant tidal potential
India has NOT yet commercially exploited tidal energy
World’s largest tidal power station: La Rance (France, 240 MW)

🌋 Geothermal Energy in India

Geothermal energy uses heat from Earth’s interior
Puga Valley (Ladakh) = highest geothermal potential in India; hot springs and geysers
Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh) = significant geothermal potential; hot springs
India has NOT yet commercially exploited geothermal energy
World’s largest geothermal power: USA (The Geysers, California)

⭐ Key Facts:
• Hydroelectric = ~12% of India’s electricity; ~47 GW capacity
• Bhakra Nangal = largest hydroelectric project = Sutlej river
• Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat) = highest tidal energy potential in India
• Puga Valley (Ladakh) = highest geothermal potential in India
• Himachal Pradesh = largest hydro potential state

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