Maharashtra: Tata backs state’s pumped storage hydropower project

Seeking to continue its promotion of pumped storage hydro (PSH) projects, the Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Power to develop two large PSH projects with a combined capacity of 2,800 megawatts (MW) in the state. The company proposes to invest Rs 13,000 crore in this endeavour.

According to Tata Power, a 1,800-MW PSH project will be set up at Shirawata, Pune district and 1,000-MW one at Bhivpuri, Raigad district. This will generate direct and indirect employment of 6,000. Tata Power already has a 150-MW-capacity PSH unit at its Bhira Hydro Generating Station. When installed in 1997, it was the single largest such unit in India at the time of its commissioning. The state government has its maiden PSH unit of 250MW at Ghatghar. Tuesday's MoU is yet another big investment from a power major in PSH.

In June this year, the state signed the MoU with the National Hydropower Corporation (NHC) and Torrent Power for the investment of Rs 71,000 crore with a group of public and private companies for producing 13,500MW. The same month, Mahagenco, a thermal power giant in the country, had signed papers for PSH with Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), a mini Ratna company of the Union government, to generate 5,000 MW. These projects are expected to together create 36,000 indirect and direct jobs. The MoU signing ceremony was held at Mantralya in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister (energy department in-charge) Devendra Fadnavis; Abha Shukla, principal secretary, energy department; Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD of Tata Power, Vijay Namjoshi, chief, generation, Tata Power; Prabhakar Kale, chief, hydros, Tata Power.

"Pumped hydro storage is a reliable and efficient way to store energy, and these projects will support renewable solar and wind projects to ensure reliable, 24/7 consistent power supply. This is a historic moment for both Maharashtra and Tata Power, and we are proud to be a part of this initiative," said Dr Sinha.

During times of excess energy, water will be pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir, and during peak demand, the stored water will power turbines, thereby generating electricity. This initiative will significantly enhance energy security by providing peaking and continuous power supply along with other renewables such as solar and wind. The PSH projects will support existing solar and wind plants to provide 24/7 power supply, thereby promoting a greener energy landscape.