India is expected to experience a significant surge in energy demand in the coming years, driven by its growing economy and increasing population. To meet this demand, the country has set ambitious targets for energy storage. According to recent estimates, India’s energy storage requirement is projected to reach 62 GW by 2029-30 and a staggering 161 GW by 2034-35. This rapid growth in energy storage needs underscores the importance of developing a robust and reliable energy storage infrastructure in the country.
To achieve this goal, the Indian government has identified pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) as a crucial component of its energy storage strategy. PSH is a type of hydroelectric power plant that can store excess energy generated during off-peak hours and release it during peak hours, helping to stabilize the grid and ensure a reliable supply of electricity. The government has set a target of having 100 GW of PSH capacity by 2035-36, which is considered essential to meeting the country’s energy storage requirements.
The development of PSH capacity is critical to India’s energy security and sustainability goals. As the country transitions to a low-carbon economy and increases its reliance on renewable energy sources, the need for energy storage will become even more pressing. PSH can help to mitigate the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, ensuring that the grid remains stable and reliable.
The Indian government has already initiated several measures to promote the development of PSH capacity, including the identification of potential sites for new PSH projects and the provision of financial incentives for developers. The government has also launched initiatives to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of PSH technology, with the aim of making it more competitive with other forms of energy storage.
Overall, India’s energy storage requirements are expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by the country’s increasing energy demand and its transition to a low-carbon economy. The development of PSH capacity will play a critical role in meeting these requirements, and the government’s target of having 100 GW of PSH capacity by 2035-36 is an important step towards achieving energy security and sustainability in the country.