Small hydropower offers a different but equally valuable proposition. Projects up to 25 MW can harness local water resources with comparatively limited land requirements and long operational lives. The research document notes that India has developed a little over 5.1 GW against an estimated potential exceeding 21 GW. Small hydro can provide firm, round-the-clock electricity and operational flexibility, especially in remote and hilly regions. New development must nevertheless remain sensitive to hydrology, ecology, sedimentation, local livelihoods and community consent. Project design should prioritise environmental safeguards and long-term water availability. Modernisation of existing sites and improved local distribution can often deliver additional value with lower execution risk than entirely new development.
The two sectors should be viewed as components of regional development rather than isolated power projects. Bioenergy facilities can support farmer producer organisations, municipalities and rural enterprises, while small hydro can strengthen local grids, create construction and operations jobs and improve energy resilience. Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo can help mobilise technology partnerships, financing and policy coordination for both sectors. By turning waste, water and local resources into reliable energy, India can build a transition that is more circular, geographically balanced and rooted in the productive potential of its communities