Hydro-electricity in Southern India
The favourable factors for the development of Hydro-electricity in South India are mentioned below:
- Scarcity of coal: In absence of coal, the most of the South India states have to develop hydel power plant as alternative sources of power.
- Ideal relief: The steep courses of the west flowing rivers like Sharavathi, Idukki, Periyar and the east-flowing rivers like Bhira, Bhivpuri, and Koyna etc. offer high opportunities for hydel power development.
- Storage facility: The most of the rivers of the Deccan Plateau provide facilities for adequate regulating storage.
- Abundant water supply: The Western Ghat receives heavy rainfall which provide abundant water supply in the rivers of this region.
- Demand: the demand for power for various industries was, on the other hand, very great. So southern India resorted to the development of hydro-electricity even with heavy initial cost.
