India is now prioritising large-scale deployment of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) as a key enabler of its renewable energy transition.
This was the central theme of a high-level policy and technical forum held in New Delhi, where over 300 stakeholders gathered to align on the future of energy storage in the country. The event, hosted at the SCOPE Convention Centre, was jointly organised by THDC India Ltd. and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), with the support of NTPC, CBIP and INCOLD. It brought together government officials, energy policymakers, developers, technical experts and industry leaders from both the public and private sectors, reflecting a rare show of unified resolve to scale up India’s pumped storage capacity.
India’s energy ambitions hinge not only on renewable generation but also on robust grid support infrastructure. Pumped Storage Projects—hydro-based systems that store and release energy by moving water between reservoirs—are increasingly being seen as a vital solution to balance intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, the chief guest, underlined the need for self-sufficient and flexible grid operations, urging state utilities to take ownership of grid stability. He called for institutional reforms to remove procedural delays in PSP development and ensure timely project execution.
Adding weight to the discourse, Additional Power Secretary (Hydro) Akash Tripathi highlighted that the objective of the workshop was to break silos and foster collaboration. His remarks were reinforced by CEA Member (Hydro) M.G. Gokhale, who revealed that approximately 3 GW of pumped storage capacity is set to be added by 2025-26, including the imminent commissioning of the 1,000 MW Tehri PSP—the first of its kind in India to feature variable-speed technology for enhanced efficiency. NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh stressed that the transition to clean energy requires large-scale PSP deployment as a reliable and grid-responsive storage medium. THDCIL CMD R.K. Vishnoi noted that automation in PSPs could lead to better control and operational efficiency, underscoring the growing role of digitalisation in India’s energy future.
The session featured four detailed panel discussions that addressed environmental clearances, regulatory hurdles, civil and geological complexities, and policy imperatives. Eminent speakers from institutions such as NHPC, SJVN, Adani, Tata Power and IIT Roorkee contributed actionable insights and case studies, shedding light on the real-world challenges and solutions for scaling PSPs. The discussions culminated in a collective reaffirmation of the role that pumped storage must play in achieving a sustainable, green, and energy-resilient India. With states now being encouraged to identify potential PSP sites and streamline approvals, the momentum appears to be shifting from policy intent to practical action.
As India looks to quadruple its renewable energy capacity by 2030, pumped storage has emerged not merely as an engineering challenge but as an environmental necessity. By supporting load shifting and ensuring grid reliability, PSPs are poised to bridge the gap between energy abundance and energy availability—critical to building climate-resilient, equitable cities of the future.
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