The grid failures that resulted in power outages across 21 states on July 30 and 31 have led to a renewed focus on hydro capacity addition, which can help address demand-supply issues.

The share of hydro power to the country’s overall power generation capacity has fallen from 45 per cent in 1980 to 20 per cent. A report by a committee probing the grid failures, headed by Central Electricity Authority Chairman A S Bakshi, stated over-drawing by states despite repeated warnings, the consequent over-loading of lines taking power from the western to the northern region and voltage relays were some reasons behind the grid failures.