Pumped Storage Projects Poised to Power India’s Renewable Push, High-Level Brainstorming Session Concludes in New Delhi

New Delhi, May 1, 2025: As India accelerates its transition towards renewable energy, pumped storage projects (PSPs) are emerging as a critical pillar in ensuring grid stability and meeting the nation’s net-zero targets. A high-level brainstorming session on “Pumped Storage Projects: Powering India’s Renewable Future” was convened today at the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi. The event was jointly organised by THDC India Ltd and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), in association with NTPC and supported by CBIP and INCOLD.

The session brought together over 300 participants, including top government officials, policymakers, developers, investors, and technical experts from nearly 95 organisations nationwide. The dialogue focused on fast-tracking PSP development as an enabler for large-scale renewable integration into the grid.

Pankaj Agarwal (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, who addressed the gathering as Chief Guest, underscored that grid stability has now become a national priority. He urged states to develop flexible generation and storage solutions and called for streamlined policies to expedite PSP rollouts. “Every state must actively contribute to grid stability through self-sufficient sub-regional models,” he said.

Akash Tripathi (IAS), Additional Secretary (Hydro), Ministry of Power, highlighted the session’s aim — to align stakeholders and accelerate implementation timelines for PSPs.

M.G. Gokhale, Member (Hydro), CEA, stated that around 3 GW of PSP capacity is set to be added in 2025-26, including the 1,000 MW Tehri Variable Speed Pumped Storage Project, which is nearing commissioning after successful testing. “PSPs will play a pivotal role in achieving India’s net-zero ambition through reliable energy storage,” he noted.

Gurdeep Singh, CMD of NTPC, stressed that large-scale deployment of storage is essential for India’s energy transition to succeed. “Renewables cannot power the grid reliably without robust storage backing. PSPs will form the backbone of this shift,” he said.

R.K. Vishnoi, CMD, THDC India Ltd, emphasised the role of automation and digital solutions in improving PSP execution and operational efficiency. He called for collaborative efforts to overcome procedural bottlenecks.

The day-long event featured four focused panel discussions on policy frameworks, regulatory challenges, environmental clearance, technical considerations, and financing models for PSPs. Deliberations highlighted the need for policy streamlining, faster approvals, and stronger central-state coordination to scale PSP deployment across India.

Notably, THDC India Ltd, a subsidiary of NTPC, is in the final stages of commissioning India’s first 1,000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri, Uttarakhand — marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy storage roadmap.

Pumped Storage Projects function by using surplus electricity during off-peak hours to pump water to a higher reservoir, which is then released during peak demand to generate power. This proven technology is now set to become India’s backbone for balancing renewable energy fluctuations and ensuring grid reliability.

The session concluded with a summary presented by the CEA and a vote of thanks by THDC, reinforcing PSPs as central to India’s resilient and sustainable energy future.