NHPC to develop 4 pumped storage projects in Maharashtra

NHPC signs a MoU with the Maharashtra government to develop various RE projects in the state as a step forward in the energy transition.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between NHPC Limited and the Department of Energy, Government of Maharashtra, for the development of pumped storage schemes and other renewable energy source projects in the state of Maharashtra.

The MoU envisages the development of four pumped storage projects with a total capacity of 7,350 MW: Kalu (1,150 MW), Savitri (2,250 MW), Jalond (2,400 MW), and Kengadi (1,550 MW). The agreement additionally makes provisions for the development of other renewable energy projects in the state.

The MoU entails using pump storage projects as energy storage solutions to help meet the national goal of energy transition, which is to have 500 GW of renewable energy installed by 2030 and net-zero by 2070.

CMD, NHPC, R.K. Vishnoi, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Maharashtra for reposing their trust in NHPC for the development of pump storage schemes in the state. He said that this will be a stepping stone for NHPC in the state of Maharashtra. These projects will attract an investment of about Rs. 44,000 crore and will generate indirect and direct employment for 7,000 people in the state.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis. The MoU was signed by Director (Projects), NHPC, Biswajit Basu, and Principal Secretary (Energy), Department of Energy, Govt. of Maharashtra, Abha Shukla. Independent Director, NHPC, Uday S. Nirgudkar; Executive Director (SBD & C), NHPC, Rajat Gupta; and other senior officers from both organisations were also present during the occasion.

The Pumped Storage System uses surplus grid power from thermal power stations or other sources to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir and reproduces power during peak demand when power is scarce.

NHPC Limited is a government-owned public-sector firm that is India’s largest hydropower development organisation, capable of handling all aspects of hydropower development from conceptualization through commissioning. NHPC has also expanded into solar and wind energy. The company is assigned the task of planning, promoting, and organising an integrated and efficient growth of power in all its forms in India and internationally, using conventional and non-conventional sources. After successfully completing its initial public offering (IPO) in 2009, NHPC is now a listed company on the NSE and BSE.