EAC grants Saundatti PSP ToR, defers Veeraballi EC

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), at its 50th meeting held on March 11, 2026, granted Terms of Reference (ToR) to the Saundatti pumped storage project expansion in Karnataka and deferred Environmental Clearance (EC) for the Veeraballi project in Andhra Pradesh.

Saundatti expansion receives ToR

The EAC granted ToR to M/s Greenko KA01 IREP Private Limited for expanding the Saundatti Integrated Renewable Energy with Pumped Storage Project from 1260 MW to 1600 MW.

The revised project is designed to supply peak power for around 6 hours daily, compared to the earlier 11.60-hour cycle. The total land requirement increases from 213.70 hectares to 307.42 hectares, while forest land remains unchanged at 160.40 hectares.

The project will construct a new lower reservoir instead of using the existing Renuka Sagar reservoir, following directions from the State Irrigation Department. Water will be sourced through a one-time draw of about 1 TMC from Renuka Sagar, maintaining a closed-loop system.

The EAC stated that no fresh public hearing is required, citing the January 2019 hearing and noting that the additional land is adjacent to the existing project area and that over 70% of private land has been acquired.

The project includes a Rs 34.95 crore Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) commitment. It is expected to generate about 1,900 jobs during construction and 350 jobs during operation. The project will now proceed with EIA and Environment Management Plan (EMP) studies before seeking EC.

Veeraballi PSP EC deferred

The EAC deferred EC for the 1800 MW Veeraballi Off-stream Closed Loop Pumped Storage Project proposed by M/s Annamayya Pumped Storage Project Private Limited.

The committee noted that the total land requirement has increased from 464.67 hectares to 489.91 hectares and sought clarification on whether the revised figures were presented during the public hearing held on January 6, 2023.

It also raised concerns over the diversion of 329.02 hectares of forest land and asked the proponent to reduce the approach road width. The Biodiversity Management and Wildlife Conservation Plan is pending approval from the State Forest Department.

The EAC directed the proponent to obtain a layout appraisal from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), revise the EMP to include a rejuvenation plan for local ponds, and provide an update on the Stage-I forest clearance application submitted in December 2025. 

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