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Government undertakes comprehensive safety reviews of aging dams across India
In a recent announcement, the Government of India has disclosed significant efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of aging dams across the nation. According to the data compiled by the National Dam Safety Authority, there are 234 large dams in India that are more than a century old, raising concerns about their structural soundness and safety standards.
Responsibility for the safety, operation, and maintenance of these dams primarily lies with the respective dam owners, predominantly state governments and Central/State Public Sector Units. As part of routine procedures, dam owners conduct periodic pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections. Moreover, many states have established Dam Safety Review Panels to conduct comprehensive audits of these critical infrastructure assets. During the fiscal year 2023-24, dam-owning agencies reported conducting pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections for approximately 6414 and 4150 dams, respectively, in compliance with the Dam Safety Act 2021. To address concerns and ensure the longevity of these aging structures, the Government of India has been implementing the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), aimed at enhancing
safety and operational performance. The Phase-I of DRIP, completed in March 2021, involved the review and rehabilitation of 198 dam projects across seven states.
Following the success of Phase-I, the government has initiated Phase-II & III of DRIP, which involves the comprehensive auditing and rehabilitation of about 736 dams with financial support from international bodies like the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. Under this scheme, the Dam Safety Review Panels have already completed inspections and reviews for approximately 408 dams. The enactment of the Dam Safety Act 2021, effective from December 30, 2021, provides a comprehensive framework for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all large dams in the country, aimed at preventing dam failure-related disasters. Section 38 of the Act mandates a thorough dam safety evaluation for each specified dam. It’s important to note that while aging dams pose concerns, proper
maintenance and timely repairs can ensure their continued safe operation. The Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu, emphasized this point in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
US
Biden-Harris Administration allocates record funds for hydroelectric projects across 19 states The Biden-Harris administration has unveiled its largest single investment in waterpower production in the US, allocating nearly $72 million to bolster hydropower facilities across the Nation as part of the Investing in America Agenda. The US Department of Energy (DOE) revealed the selection of 46 hydroelectric projects spanning 19 states, set to receive up to $71.5 million in incentive payments. These funds, administered by the Grid Deployment Office and backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, mark the DOE’s most substantial investment in hydropower facilities to date. US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the pivotal role of hydropower in delivering affordable and reliable electricity nationwide. Granholm stated: “Hydropower is the nation’s prototype of renewable power, playing an important role in deploying affordable and reliable electricity across the country. Thanks to the President’s Investing in America agenda, we are maintaining and expanding our hydropower fleets, helping reduce costs of operation and ensuring American workers continue to drive the nation’s clean energy transition.” With an eye on the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean energy objectives, the incentive program witnessed robust industry interest, with applications seeking a total of $192 million in federal support. The chosen
enhancements are expected to generate a combined investment of $468 million, contributing to the continued operation and longevity of hydroelectric assets – with an average selectee facility age of 75 years. Currently constituting 27% of renewable electricity generation in the US, hydropower also claims 93% of all utility-scale energy storage capacity. Beyond electric generation, the US hydroelectric fleet and associated reservoirs play crucial roles in water supply, flood control, and recreation. Improving water use efficiency for electricity generation is anticipated to enhance the fleets’ ability to manage the nation’s waters more effectively. Investments under the Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives will bolster the U.S. hydropower fleet’s continued operation and ensure a more reliable and resilient electric grid system. Facility owners or operators receiving the incentives will implement capital improvements to enhance efficiency by an average of 14%, with a statutory minimum of 3% per facility. These improvements include upgrades to facility turbines and generators, as well as enhancements to water conveyance structures. The selected projects span across California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
A public webinar, scheduled for February 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET, will offer an overview of the Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement
Incentives selections and key trends identified. Interested participants can register for the webinar here. A recording of the event will be available at a later date. The Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives form one of three incentive offerings funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These initiatives aim to maintain and enhance existing hydroelectric facilities, ensuring the continued provision of clean, renewable electricity while improving dam safety and reducing environmental impacts. Other program offerings include Hydroelectric Production Incentives, provided to qualified hydroelectric facilities for electricity generated and sold, and Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives, provided for capital improvements directly related to grid resiliency, dam safety, and environmental improvements.
Saudi Arabia Webuild to construct three dams for NEOM as part of Trojena mountain project, NEOM has awarded Webuild a US$4.7 billion contract for an innovative infrastructure project set amid the mountains of Saudi Arabia. Positioned as a future destination in the desert, the Trojena mountain project encompasses the construction of dams, the creation of a freshwater lake for a ski resort, and the implementation of iconic architectural elements. Webuild’s scope of work includes the construction of three dams to create a 2.8km- long freshwater lake, forming the centerpiece of the Trojena ski resort. The dams will be made of
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