Author: PPD Team Date: 14/04/2025
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for six hydro pumped storage projects (PSPs) totaling about 7.5 GW. These approvals were issued in record time during 2024–25, reflecting a focused effort to expand long-term energy storage infrastructure.
The cleared projects include:
- Upper Indravati (600 MW) in Odisha
- Sharavathy (2,000 MW) in Karnataka
- Bhivpuri (1,000 MW) in Maharashtra
- Bhavali (1,500 MW) in Maharashtra
- MP-30 (1,920 MW) in Madhya Pradesh
- Chitravathi (500 MW) in Andhra Pradesh
The approvals result from coordination between developers and appraisal agencies such as the Central Water Commission (CWC), Geological Survey of India (GSI), and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS).
To speed up approvals, CEA introduced a shorter DPR format, a standard checklist, and made the entire process digital through the “Jalvi Store” portal. These reforms have simplified submissions and improved transparency.
CEA now targets concurrence of at least 13 more PSPs totaling 22 GW in 2025–26. Most are planned for commissioning within four years, with all expected by 2030. These projects are expected to significantly improve energy storage and grid reliability, supporting India’s renewable energy targets.
The PSP pipeline is growing fast. The country currently has only 3.5 GW of operational PSP capacity. However, about 3 GW is set to be commissioned this year, and 50 GW is expected by 2032. At present, 8 projects (10 GW) are under construction, 3 projects (3 GW) have DPRs concurred, and 49 projects (66 GW) are under survey and investigation.
Private sector interest is also rising. With ongoing self-identification of sites, India’s PSP potential has now crossed 200 GW. All DPRs under investigation are expected to be finalised within two years.
Hydro PSPs store excess electricity as water in elevated reservoirs during off-peak hours. This stored energy can be released during peak demand, especially after sunset, ensuring flexibility and reliability in the power system.
The sector presents long-term investment opportunities, with PSPs offering asset life of over 70–80 years.