Adani’s Panaura pumped storage project gets EAC nod in Uttar Pradesh
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley & Hydroelectric Projects under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recommended Environmental Clearance (EC) for the 1,500 MW Panaura Closed Loop Pumped Storage Project (PSP) proposed by Adani Hydro Energy Five Limited in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh.
The project is planned near Panaura village in Robertsganj Tehsil and is designed as an off-stream closed-loop pumped storage system.
Project structure
Under the proposed configuration, the PSP will operate through two newly built reservoirs, with water circulated between them without continuous river withdrawal. The project will require 13.42 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of water for initial filling, to be sourced from the Son River. Annual make-up water demand to offset evaporation and transit losses has been estimated at 1.6 MCM.
The upper reservoir will comprise a 28-metre-high concrete gravity dam with a gross storage capacity of 11.48 MCM. The lower reservoir will include an 82.5-metre-high concrete dam and a 53.5-metre-high rockfill dam with a combined gross storage of 13.09 MCM. The powerhouse will feature six Francis reversible pump-turbine units with a total installed capacity of 1,500 MW, comprising four 300 MW units and two 150 MW units.
The total land requirement for the project has been estimated at 236.37 hectares, including 230.12 hectares of forest land and 6.25 hectares of non-forest land. The project cost has been estimated at Rs 7,463.64 crore.
Clearance status
During the appraisal, the EAC noted that Stage-I Forest Clearance for diversion of forest land is still pending with the state authorities. The committee stated that the clearance will need to be secured before the final EC is issued.
The committee also observed that the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar is located around 6.9 km from the project site. Since all project components fall outside the notified Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), wildlife clearance under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is not required. However, the project developer has been directed to comply with environmental and wildlife safeguards due to the project’s proximity to the ESZ.
A Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment (CEIA) was carried out to examine the combined impact of multiple pumped storage projects proposed within the same river basin.
Environmental measures
The EAC further reviewed the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project. The initial EMP allocation of Rs 35.89 crore was revised to Rs 73.41 crore after additional provisions were included for wildlife habitat improvement and river ecology measures. The revised allocation accounts for nearly 1 per cent of the total project cost.
As part of the recommendation, the committee prescribed several conditions. These include preparation of a Wildlife Conservation Action Plan for Schedule-I species such as leopards and sloth bears in coordination with the State Forest Department. The project developer has also been directed to stabilise muck disposal sites and undertake plantation of 10,000 plants around disposal areas.
Social commitments
The socio-economic measures proposed under the project include setting up a school up to 12th standard, a 50-bed multi-specialty hospital, a skill development centre, and installation of reverse osmosis (RO) plants and solar panels in project-affected villages within a 10 km radius. Preference in employment and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) admissions has also been proposed for Project Affected Families (PAFs).
In addition, the project developer will implement a watershed development plan covering villages within a 10 km radius, including rejuvenation of at least one existing water body in each village. An allocation of Rs 20 crore has also been earmarked towards Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER).
Project impact
According to the proposal, the project is expected to employ around 1,200 workers during peak construction activity and around 150 technical personnel during the operational phase. Annual energy generation from the project has been estimated at 3,121 Million Units (MU).
The EAC recommendation will now be forwarded to the MoEF&CC for final grant of Environmental Clearance.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
