Himachal Pradesh To Invest In Pumped Storage projects

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the State has decided to enter the sector of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs). He said that PSPs are considered one of the most dependable mechanisms towards a balanced supply of power from renewable sources like solar and wind energy. Himachal has been the leader in mini-hydel plants till now, accounting for a majority of India’s mini-hydel power plant capacity.

In the last Cabinet meeting, the state approved two such proposals for the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) -the 1630 MW Renukaji Pump Storage Project in Sirmaur district and the 270 MW Thana Plaun Pump Storage Project in the Beas Basin of Mandi district.

Sukhu said, “Himachal Pradesh, being a hilly state, is ideally suited for Pumped Storage Projects. The geography offers immense potential for constructing such projects, which will ensure grid stability as these projects are crucial for mitigating power shortages during high-demand periods by releasing stored water to generate electricity through turbines.”

In the PSP system, the low-cost electricity will be utilized to pump water from the low elevation reservoir to a higher elevation. Ideally, during off-peak hours. Water released would allow the natural flow of the stored water back through turbines in the powerhouse during periods of increased electrical demand. The use of potential energy generates electricity to supply the electrical demand. Plans for the two independent projects are already underway. Two different powerhouses, one for normal operation and another designed for PSP generation, will be constructed. Renukaji Hydro Power Project: an installed capacity of 40 MW, Thana Plaun Hydro Electric Project with an installed capacity of 191 MW, with separate turbines to be installed for the PSP system.

The Chief Minister said that under the Swaran Jayanti Policy, 2021, the state is favouring the development of Pumped Storage Projects. Proposals for both identified and self-identified PSPs, along with Pre-Feasibility Reports, would be invited on a half-yearly basis. “These efforts align with the government’s commitment to enhancing revenue generation through hydro projects and positioning Himachal Pradesh as a prosperous state in the country,” said the Chief Minister.

SJVN Ltd has identified four pumped storage projects with a capacity of 2,570 MW, BBMB has identified eight projects having a cumulative capacity of 13,103 MW, NTPC Limited has identified two projects aggregating to an installed capacity of 2,400 MW, the private sector has identified seven projects aggregating to an installed capacity of 2,074 MW and HPPCL has identified two projects having a cumulative potential capacity of 1,900 MW in the State