<P> The public sector accounts for 92.5% of India's hydroelectric power production . The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Northeast Electric Power Company (NEEPCO), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL), THDC, and NTPC - Hydro are some of the public sector companies producing hydroelectric power in India . The private sector is also expected to grow with the development of hydroelectric energy in the Himalayan mountain ranges and in the northeast of India . Indian companies have also constructed hydropower projects in Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and other countries . </P> <P> Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), a state - owned enterprise in north India, has an installed capacity of 2.9 GW . The generation cost after four decades of operation is about 27 paise (0.39 ¢ US) per kWh . BBMB is a major source of peaking power and black start capability to the northern grid in India and it's large reservoirs provide wide operational flexibility . BBMB reservoirs also supply water for the irrigation of 12.5 million acres (51,000 km; 19,500 sq mi) of agricultural land in partner states, enabling the green revolution in the northern India . </P> <P> The International Hydropower Association estimates that the total hydropower potential in India is 660,000 TWh / year, of which 540,000 TWh / year (79%) is still undeveloped . India ranks as the fourth country in the world by undeveloped hydropower potential, after Russia, China and Canada, and fifth by total potential, surpassed also by Brazil . </P> <P> India has transformed from an electricity deficit state to an electricity surplus state . Peak load shortages can be met making use of pumped storage schemes which store surplus power to meet peak load demands . The pumped storage schemes also contribute secondary, seasonal power at no additional cost when rivers are flooded with excess water . India has already established nearly 4,800 MW pumped storage capacity with the installation of hydropower plants . </P>

How important is the hydel power projects for india