NHPC has entered into a pact with Russian power generator JSC RusHydro for co-operation in hydropower projects in India and foreign countries. The MoU, signed on May 23, 2011, is for co-operation on case-to-case basis in hydropower projects in India and other countries. The domestic hydropower company also noted that the agreement is likely to boost its international business opportunities and global presence.

"This MoU is a beginning of cooperation and it will decide areas of mutual interest for benefit of two companies in the field of hydro power development, renewable energy sources and other areas of power generation," a statement by NHPC said.

The public sector company has an installation base of 5,295 mw from 14 hydropower stations, including joint venture initiatives. The entity is currently engaged in construction of 10 projects having a total installed capacity of 4,502 mw (see box.)

JSC RusHydro is Russia's largest power generating company in terms of installed capacity, which is around 26,100 mw. The company also owns the 6,400-mw Sayano-Shushenskaya asset, currently Russia's biggest hydropower plant.

Over 1,000 mw in FY12

NHPC has planned to add 1,080 mw of new hydropower capacity during 2011-12, taking the total addition in the XI Plan period to 2,230 mw. The original target for the ongoing Plan period was 5,322 mw that was downsized to 3,500 mw. Currently NHPC has ten projects aggregating 4,502 mw under construction. By 2017, NHPC hopes to have a total installed capacity base of 9,500 mw. As of now, NHPC operates 14 hydropower stations with an aggregate capacity of 5,295 mw. In 2010-11, the Central PSU generated 18,604 million kwh of electricity, with its stations achieving an average plant availability factor of 85.2 per cent.

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