Advancing Pumped Storage Hydropower for Future Energy Needs

In its report, the Energy and Resources Institute TERI) has strongly emphasised the need to create large-scale Pump Storage Projects PSPs), which are most attractive and essential for optimal utilisation of the rapidly increasing solar capacity, reliable supply and grid stability.

India’s ambitious renewable energy targets necessitate a robust pumped hydro storage policy, which is crucial for grid stability, efficient energy management, and achieving sustainability goals amidst rapid renewable expansion.

Upcoming pumped hydro storage policy

At COP26, India made significant commitments to address climate change, underscoring its dedication to sustainable development. By 2030, the country aims to achieve a non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW and ensure that 50 percent of its energy requirements are met through renewable sources. Additionally, the country is committed to reducing its total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 and lowering the carbon intensity of its economy by 45 percent compared to 2005 levels. Looking further ahead, the nation has set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, signalling its long-term commitment to combating climate change.

Further, based on generation planning studies carried out for the period of 2027-32 by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the likely installed capacity for the year 2031-32 is 900,422 MW comprising 304,147 MW of conventional capacity (coal259,643 MW, gas–24,824MW, nuclear-19,680MW) and 596,275MW of renewable-based capacity (large hydro-62,178 MW, solar-364,566MW, wind-121,895MW, small hydro5450MW, biomass-15,500 MW, PSP26,686MW; excluding 5856 MW of likely hydro based imports).

The storage capacity requirement is expected to increase to 73.93 GW (26.69 GW PSP and 47.24 GW BESS) with storage of 411.4 GWh (175.18 GWh from PSP and 236.22 GWh from BESS) by the year 2031-32. In a recent study, CEA indicated that India has a potential of 103 GW of ‘on-river pumped storage’ capacity, with many off-river pumped storage potentials also available.