Ranavadi pumped storage project moves forward after EAC’s ToR approval
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended the grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) for Novarion Energy Private Limited’s proposed 1,200 MW Ranavadi Pumped Storage Project in Pune and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.
The Rs 6,093.62 crore project envisages two artificial reservoirs at Karnavadi and Ranavadi villages, spanning Velhe tehsil in Pune district and Mahad tehsil in Raigad district. While proposed as an off-stream pumped storage scheme, the EAC observed that the lower reservoir intercepts a rivulet or natural water channel and recommended that the project be treated as an open-loop Pumped Storage Project (PSP) rather than a closed-loop scheme.
The project will have four 300 MW units and use a weighted average gross head of 552.33 metres. Annual electricity generation is estimated at 2,496.60 MU, with peak generation planned for six hours and pumping operations for 6.86 hours.
Project design
The Ranavadi project will require 195.97 hectares of land, comprising 29.87 hectares of forest land and 166.10 hectares of non-forest land. The total submergence area is estimated at 89.62 hectares.
The upper reservoir will be formed by a 30-metre-high concrete gravity dam with a crest length of 1,069 metres, while the lower reservoir will have a 49-metre-high Geomembrane Faced Rockfill Dam (GFRD) with a crest length of 1,833 metres. An underground powerhouse cavern measuring 162.50 m x 23 m x 45 m will house the four 300 MW generating units.
The water conductor system will extend approximately 2,178 metres and include two head race tunnels and pressure shafts. The project will require around 10.0 million cubic metres (MCM) of water for one-time initial filling of the reservoirs, to be sourced from the Kal River through a 7.0 km pipeline. Annual recoupment for evaporation and other losses is estimated at 1.44 MCM.
Environmental issues
The EAC noted that the project falls within the proposed Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) under the Ministry’s draft notification S.O. 3060(E) dated July 31, 2024. Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary, the nearest protected area, is approximately 26 km from the project components.
Given that the proposed lower reservoir intercepts a natural water channel, the Committee stipulated that adequate environmental flows must be maintained in the affected stream to preserve ecological functions and downstream water requirements.
The EAC has also sought a Cumulative Impact Assessment Study covering all projects in the Savitri River basin to evaluate their combined environmental, hydrological and ecological effects. A separate downstream impact assessment of water withdrawal from the Kal River will have to examine environmental flow requirements, aquatic ecology and livelihood requirements of downstream communities.
The project layout must be optimised to minimise diversion of the proposed 29.87 hectares of forest land to the maximum extent feasible. Novarion Energy will also have to submit its application for Stage-I Forest Clearance within the stipulated time frame. Muck disposal sites, township facilities, stacking areas and batching plants must be located outside forest areas.
Studies required
The project proponent will be required to obtain a certificate and certified map from the Chief Wildlife Warden confirming that the project boundary does not fall within any Eco-Sensitive Area, Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger/Elephant corridor or Critically Polluted Area within a 10 km radius.
Aquifer mapping must be undertaken through an expert government institute, followed by preparation of an Aquifer Conservation Action Plan. The EAC has also sought estimates of greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 and CH4, during construction and throughout the operational life of the project.
The Committee will conduct a site visit before considering the proposal for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC).
Cost and timeline
The estimated project cost is Rs 6,093.62 crore, including escalation and Interest During Construction (IDC). The levelized tariff has been estimated at Rs 4.85/kWh without considering pumping energy costs and Rs 7.44/kWh assuming pumping energy at Rs 2/unit.
The project is expected to generate approximately 1,000 employment opportunities during construction and 55 jobs during the operations and maintenance phase.
Novarion Energy Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra on April 13, 2026, for development of the 1,200 MW Ranavadi Standalone Pumped Storage Project.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
