NHPC’s 2,400 MW Savitri pumped storage project gets ToR clearance
Author: PPD Team Date: March 11, 2026
NHPC Limited has secured Terms of Reference (ToR) for its proposed 2,400 MW Savitri Open Loop Pumped Storage Project in Maharashtra from the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects. The approval resolves a delay caused by the need for a formal clearance from the Mahabaleshwar–Panchgani Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Monitoring Committee.
The ToR was granted during the 48th meeting of the EAC. The proposal had earlier been deferred at the committee’s 44th meeting in December 2025, when the EAC asked the developer to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the ESZ Monitoring Committee.
The project is planned across Satara and Raigad districts, covering villages including Javali, Dare, Haroshi and Karanje. The estimated project cost is Rs 11,826 crore. The scheme will utilise a head of 561.67 metres between an upper dam on the Koyna River near Mahabaleshwar and a lower dam on the Savitri River near Lahulase village.
The pumped storage facility will have eight generating units of 300 MW each. The project is expected to generate about 5,226 million units of electricity annually at 95% availability, while the pumping energy requirement is estimated at about 6,594 million units, resulting in a cycle efficiency of around 79%.
Parts of the project fall within environmentally sensitive areas. The upper dam, reservoir and sections of the water conductor system lie within the ESZ boundary, while parts of the powerhouse and access roads fall within the Raigad Conservation Reserve. The entire project area is also located within the proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area identified under a draft notification issued in 2024.
The EAC initially considered the minutes of the ESZ Monitoring Committee’s meeting held in January 2026 insufficient. The committee later accepted a clarification letter dated February 13, 2026 confirming that a formal NOC had been issued.
The project involves diversion of 55.64 hectares of forest land. The EAC has stated that full ESZ clearance is required before the project can apply for Environmental Clearance.
The featured photograph is for representation only.