India classifies Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine as hydro power

This technology can help meet growing baseload renewable energy demand.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has categorised Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) technology under the hydro power category as India explores other sources to achieve net zero emission targets and ensure sustainable development of the power sector.

While traditional hydro power plants rely on potential energy from water stored behind dams, SHKT utilizes the kinetic energy of flowing water to generate electricity, according to the Ministry of Power.

This technology has the potential to help in meeting the growing demand for base-load, round-the-clock renewable energy, especially in areas with poor grid accessibility. Surface Hydrokinetic turbines are also easy to install and cost-effective, with generation cost of INR 2 to INR 3 per unit.

“Adoption of SHKT technology shall mark a significant milestone in leveraging India’s extensive water infrastructure, including canals, hydropower tailrace channels, etc. for sustainable energy generation. This technology has huge potential in GW scale with a lot of opportunities to harness renewable energy, leading to overall growth of the power sector,” the ministry said.