EAC clears path for 4.7 GW of hydro and pumped storage projects
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects has advanced proposals for 4,700 MW of hydroelectric and pumped storage capacity across Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh during its latest meetings.
The EAC recommended environmental clearance for the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Odisha and granted Terms of Reference (ToR) for two pumped storage projects with a combined capacity of 3,100 MW. Separately, it recommended environmental clearance for the 1,000 MW Naying Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Arunachal Pradesh.
The projects collectively represent investments exceeding Rs 31,000 crore and are at different stages of the environmental clearance process.
Upper Indravati PSP
The EAC recommended environmental clearance for Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Limited’s (OHPC) 600 MW Upper Indravati PSP in Kalahandi district.
The project will utilise the existing reservoir of the 600 MW Upper Indravati Hydro-Electric Project and has been designed as an off-stream, open-loop pumped storage scheme. It will comprise four generating units of 150 MW each and involve construction of a 2.392 km head race tunnel, a 17-metre-diameter surge shaft, an underground powerhouse complex and a 530-metre-long rockfill dam with a clay core for the lower reservoir.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 3,394 crore and is expected to generate approximately 1,040 million units annually.
The project requires 164 hectares of land, predominantly forest land, and is expected to affect around 227 families across four villages. More than Rs 20 crore has been earmarked for compensation and rehabilitation measures.
While recommending environmental clearance, the Committee prescribed conditions relating to biodiversity conservation, fish protection, watershed management, scientific muck disposal and green belt development. It also advised OHPC to explore options for reducing forest land diversion.
Ambapani PSP
The EAC recommended ToR for the 1,000 MW Ambapani Pumped Storage Project proposed by Adani Hydro Energy Two Limited in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh.
Originally proposed as a closed-loop project, the Committee reclassified the scheme as an open-loop pumped storage project after noting that the lower reservoir would obstruct a natural rivulet. The project has an energy storage capacity of 6,000 MWh and will require 346.48 hectares of land, including 286.19 hectares of forest land.
The project proposes a one-time water requirement of 19.0 million cubic metres (MCM), with annual replenishment of 2.05 MCM sourced from the Patpadi River through a 6 km pipeline.
While granting ToR, the EAC directed the developer to minimise forest land requirements, obtain Stage-I forest clearance, undertake water utilisation mapping within a 10 km radius, and conduct environmental cost-benefit and cumulative impact assessments. The project is expected to generate 2,080.5 million units annually with a cycle efficiency of 82.89%.
Pimpalpada Savale PSP
In Maharashtra, the Committee recommended ToR for the 2,100 MW Pimpalpada Savale Pumped Storage Project proposed by M/s Chambery Power Private Limited.
The off-stream, closed-loop project will be developed across Karjat and Mawal sub-districts in Raigad and Pune districts. It has been designed with seven units of 300 MW each and an energy storage capacity of 12,600 MWh, with operations planned for six hours during peak demand periods.
The project requires 249.23 hectares of land, including 99.36 hectares of forest land, and is estimated to cost Rs 10,217.36 crore.
Environmental sensitivity emerged as a key issue during the appraisal process. The EAC noted that the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and the proposed Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area fall within a 10 km radius of the project site. The Committee directed that a sub-committee undertake a site visit before the proposal is considered for environmental clearance.
The developer has also been asked to obtain Stage-I forest clearance, submit certified water availability data from the Central Water Commission (CWC), prepare a plantation plan using native species and conduct detailed biodiversity and environmental cost-benefit studies.
Naying HEP
The Committee also recommended environmental clearance for North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd.’s (NEEPCO) 1,000 MW Naying HEP in Arunachal Pradesh.
The run-of-the-river project is proposed on the Siyom River across Siang and Shi Yomi districts and comprises four Francis turbine-generator units of 250 MW each. It involves construction of a 138-metre-high concrete gravity dam, a 7.08 km head race tunnel, an underground powerhouse and associated transmission infrastructure.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 11,835.86 crore and is expected to generate 3,809 million units annually in a 90% dependable year.
The Naying HEP will require 470.80 hectares of forest land and affect 408 Project Affected Families (PAFs), with Rs 72 crore allocated for rehabilitation and resettlement. The project is located in Seismic Zone V and lies near Yorde Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary and Mouling Wildlife Sanctuary.
Public consultations held in November and December 2025 highlighted concerns relating to compensation, biodiversity impacts, disaster preparedness and downstream flooding. NEEPCO informed the Committee that these issues have been addressed through its Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) framework.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
