Pumped storage projects (PSPs) store energy in the form of gravitational potential energy in reservoir water. Credit: Roman Rybaleov via Shutterstock.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India has greenlit two hydroelectric PSPs to be developed in the western state of Maharashtra.
The 1.5GW Bhavali PSP is being developed by JSW Energy and the 1GW Bhivpuri PSP by Tata Power.
The PSPs will collectively provide a storage capacity of more than 15 gigawatt-hours (GWh), meeting peak demand during non-solar hours and supporting grid stability.
According to the CEA, the project developers have indicated that they will fast-track the commissioning of the PSPs for completion by 2028.
PSPs store energy in the form of gravitational potential energy in reservoir water and are the most established large-scale energy storage technology, accounting for approximately 90% of the world’s installed storage capacity.
The CEA has targeted a minimum of two PSPs each month throughout 2024. During 2024–25, the authority aims to approve 15 hydro PSPs of 25.5GW capacity. Four PSPs of 5.1GW capacity have so far been confirmed.
The electricity authority has also established an online portal to provide information required for PSP projects, supported by the Central Water Commission, Geological Survey of India, and Central Soil and Materials Research Station.
Another major PSP project in India is located in Madhya Pradesh, with an intended capacity of 1.9GW once it is completed in 2025 by Greenko Energies.
The CEA noted that the approval of such projects, spearheaded by private developers, underscores the growing role of the private sector in driving India’s energy transition.
India aims to install 500GW of capacity and achieve 50% cumulative renewable electric power by 2030 after falling short of its 2022 goal.
In May, Tata Power announced that it had entered negotiations to secure a loan of up to $1bn (Rs83.57bn) – the largest local currency loan in India for the fiscal year – to finance its hydro PSPs in the state of Maharashtra.
