India Achieves Record-Breaking Milestone in Hydro Pumped Storage Capacity Expansion
In a major boost to India’s energy storage capacity, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved six new Hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) with a total capacity of approximately 7.5 GW. This is a significant achievement, and the largest capacity addition to the country’s PSP portfolio in a single year. The approved projects are:
- Upper Indravati (600 MW) – Odisha
- Sharavathy (2,000 MW) – Karnataka
- Bhivpuri (1,000 MW) – Maharashtra
- Bhavali (1,500 MW) – Maharashtra
- MP-30 (1,920 MW) – Madhya Pradesh
- Chitravathi (500 MW) – Andhra Pradesh
This is a result of enhanced collaboration between PSP developers, CEA, and appraisal agencies such as CWC, GSI, and CSMRS, as well as reforms to the approval processes. To further speed up approvals, the CEA has introduced the "Jalvi Store" portal, concise DPR formats, and structured checklists.
India’s pumped storage potential has surged to over 200 GW, exceeding the current operational capacity of just 3.5 GW. With private sector participation increasing, the country is on track to achieve its renewable energy targets and ensure grid reliability through robust energy storage solutions.
Progress and Future Plans
- 8 projects (10 GW) are currently under construction
- 3 projects (3 GW) have already cleared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)
- 49 projects (66 GW) are under survey and investigation
- By 2025, 2 PSPs totaling 3 GW are set to be commissioned
- By 2030, India aims to have around 50 GW of PSP capacity operational
Hydro PSPs are essential for India’s energy transition, enabling power storage and supply during high usage periods. With a lifespan of over 70-80 years, they offer a stable and reliable source of energy. The CEA plans to approve at least 13 additional PSPs with a total capacity of 22 GW in the next fiscal year, further accelerating India’s transition to a more sustainable and reliable energy future.