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India’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant

Last updated on June 5th, 2025 Posted on June 5, 2025 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  481

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

In News

  • THDC India Ltd. (under the Ministry of Power) announced the Commercial Operation Declaration (COD) of the first 250 MW unit of India’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri, Uttarakhand.

What is a Pumped Storage Plant (PSP)?

  • A PSP is a type of hydropower storage system where water is pumped from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during low demand (off-peak hours) using surplus power.
  • During high demand (peak hours), water is released from the upper reservoir to generate electricity.
  • Variable speed PSPs allow flexible and precise control of pump-turbine operations, enabling them to respond to rapid fluctuations in grid demand and renewable energy intermittency.
pumped-hydro-storage-how-it-works

National and Sectoral Importance

  • Grid Stability and Renewable Energy Integration: Variable speed PSP can quickly ramp up/down, making it a critical grid balancing solution.
  • Peaking Power Supply: Can provide round-the-clock energy support, especially during evening peaks when solar generation drops.
  • Energy Self-Reliance and Atmanirbhar Bharat: Represents high-end engineering capacity of Indian PSUs in complex hydro infrastructure.

Source: ET

 
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