{"id":87973,"date":"2026-11-04T18:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T12:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=87973"},"modified":"2026-11-04T18:17:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T12:47:36","slug":"pumped-hydro-storage-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-11-2026\/pumped-hydro-storage-india","title":{"rendered":"Pumped Storage Hydropower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Energy and Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is expanding its pumped storage hydropower capacity to support renewable energy integration, grid stability, and energy security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need for Pumped Storage Hydropower<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As of September 2026, India has <strong>308.027 GW<\/strong> of installed non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>During FY 2025\u201326, <\/strong>India added around 55.29 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity. It has also set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, renewable energy generation varies, and this <strong>variability creates a growing need to store electricity<\/strong> when renewable generation exceeds demand.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects <strong>73.93 GW<\/strong> of storage capacity by 2031\u201332.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This includes<strong> 26.69 GW from Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs)<\/strong> and <strong>47.24 GW from Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) are large-scale energy storage systems that use water and gravity to store electricity. They are often described as <strong>\u201cwater batteries&#8221;.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A typical PSP consists of two reservoirs<\/strong> at different elevations.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>During periods of surplus electricity, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When demand rises, the stored water is released through turbines to generate electricity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PSPs help <strong>balance fluctuations<\/strong> in solar and wind power generation, meet peak electricity demand, and improve grid reliability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"a8cbdb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"545\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-17.png\" alt=\"pumped storage hydropower in india\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87976\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a8cbdb; aspect-ratio:1.419328585961343;width:466px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-17.png 545w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-17-300x211.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Classification of Pumped Storage Power Plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PSPs are classified according to how their reservoirs are connected to, or in relation to, natural watercourses.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>They are grouped into three types:<\/strong> on-stream, off-stream open-loop and off-stream closed-loop schemes.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"9ec1bf\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"961\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-16.png\" alt=\"pumped storage power plants\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87975\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9ec1bf; aspect-ratio:1.5780667508145714;width:549px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-16.png 961w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-16-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-16-768x487.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 961px) 100vw, 961px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India&#8217;s Pumped Storage Momentum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operational Capacity:<\/strong> As of August 2026, India has 7.43 GW of operational PSP capacity across 10 projects. The projects have installed capacity above 25 MW.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has identified <strong>320 pumped storage<\/strong> projects with a combined potential of 345.38 GW.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This includes 62 on-stream projects with 56.67 GW and 258 off-stream projects with 288.71 GW.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"b2cddf\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"539\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-15.png\" alt=\"india's pumped storage momentum\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87974\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b2cddf; aspect-ratio:1.6484277931759534;width:489px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-15.png 539w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-15-300x182.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global Installed Capacity PSPs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Global installed pumped hydro capacity stood at <strong>159.8 Gigawatts <\/strong>at the end of 2025, according to the <strong>International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"aecfe3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"964\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-18.png\" alt=\"global installed capacity psps\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87977\" style=\"--dominant-color: #aecfe3; aspect-ratio:3.57066950053135;width:631px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-18.png 964w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-18-300x84.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/11\/image-18-768x215.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Initiatives taken by India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dedicated PSP Development Guidelines:<\/strong> The Ministry of Power notified the Guidelines to Promote Development of Pumped Storage Projects in India in April 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding:<\/strong> Guidelines notified in 2025 provide a framework for procuring storage capacity and stored energy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transmission charge waiver:<\/strong> Eligible PSPs awarded for construction by 30 June 2028 can receive a 100% Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charge waiver for 25 years from commercial operation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Faster approvals:<\/strong> The CEA\u2019s timeline for Detailed Project Report concurrence has been reduced from 90 days to 50 days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrated planning:<\/strong> The government is integrating energy storage and transmission planning to improve grid flexibility and accommodate greater renewable energy capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the Challenges?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High initial capital costs and long construction periods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geographical constraints, including suitable elevation differences, geology and water availability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potential environmental impacts on forests, aquatic ecosystems and local communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The need for transmission connectivity, clearances and coordinated project execution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concluding Remarks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pumped storage hydropower can play an important role in India\u2019s clean energy transition by providing long-duration storage, improving grid flexibility and enabling greater integration of renewable energy.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its successful expansion will depend on balancing infrastructure development with environmental safeguards and efficient project implementation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2331580&amp;reg=6&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> India is expanding its pumped storage hydropower capacity to support renewable energy integration, grid stability, and energy security. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Need for Pumped Storage Hydropower <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> As of September 2026, India has 308.027 GW of installed non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> During FY 2025\u201326, India added around 55.29 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity. It has also set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-11-2026\/pumped-hydro-storage-india \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87973"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87982,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87973\/revisions\/87982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}