Over the years, hydropower has been justified as being necessary to provide power at night, when demand peaks and solar energy is absent. Second, the proposed hydropower projects in the Northeast are financially unviable and it is likely that most of them will end up as stranded assets. Fifth, hydropower projects will lead to further deterioration in distribution companies (discom) finances. Sixth, hydropower projects in India have a notoriously poor record in engaging with local communities and their concerns of livelihood and displacement; these concerns have been met with indifference and, at times, force. Hydropower projects in the Northeast are today a poor financial investment and need to be shelved for the larger common good.

Source: Hindustan Times July 17, 2020 13:51 UTC