India has a vast potential for hydro-power generation, particularly in the northern and north-eastern region. As per an estimate of Central Electricity Authority, the potential in the country is assessed as 84,000 MW at 60 per cent load factor, which is equivalent to about 450 billion units of annual energy generation. The basin wise distribution is as given below:

At the time of independence, out of total installed capacity of 1362 MW, hydro-power generation capacity stood at 508 MW. The capacity has since been raised to about 13,000 MW. In addition 6,000 MW is available from projects under construction. A potential of about 3,000 MW is contemplated from projects already cleared. The total potential harnessed/under harnessing would thus be about 22,000 MW which is nearly one-fourth of the estimated potential.