Pumped Storage Hydro

MOU signed to develop pumped storage projects in Maharashtra, India

MOU signed to develop pumped storage projects in Maharashtra, India

NHPC and the Department of Water Resources, Government of Maharashtra, India, have signed a memorandum of understanding to build pumped storage projects with a total capacity of 7,350 MW.

The MoU was signed as per the Policy of Govt. of Maharashtra for Development of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in the state. This MoU covers the establishment of PSPs in Maharashtra with a total capacity of 7,350 MW — focusing on survey, investigation and detailed project report (DPR) preparation — along with the timely implementation as per Central and State Government policies.

This MoU marks a significant step forward in developing PSPs as energy storage solutions in Maharashtra, according to a release, aligning with the national goals of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and Net Zero by 2070.

NHPC Limited has operational capacity of 7097.20 MW, comprising 6971.20 MW from 22 hydro power stations, 76 MW from two solar power projects and 50 MW from a wind power project. NHPC contributes about 15% of the country’s total installed hydro capacity.

Similarly, in August 2023, Hydro Review reported that the Maharashtra government signed an MoU with Tata Power to develop two large PSPs with combined capacity of 2,800 MW. Tata Power has an installed/managed capacity of 14,302 MW and has a presence in generation of renewable energy, as well as conventional power including hydro and thermal energy, transmission and distribution, and trading. Tata Power’s 5,442 MW of clean energy generation from solar, wind, hydro and waste heat recovery accounts for 38% of the overall portfolio.