Pumped Up for Power: India's 51 GW Hydro Ambition

India is set to significantly expand its pumped storage hydropower capacity to 51.24 GW by 2032, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Nearly two-thirds of this new capacity will be developed by Greenko, Adani Green, and JSW Energy.

More than 57% of the upcoming capacity will be located in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Currently, India has less than 5 GW of pumped storage capacity, but the pipeline includes 39 projects, with around 10 GW already under construction. Of this, 3 GW is expected to be commissioned within the current financial year.

Greenko is leading the effort with plans to add 13.2 GW (25% of total capacity), followed by Adani Green with 11.4 GW (22%) and JSW Energy with 7.7 GW (15%). These projects leverage solar energy during off-peak hours to pump water into upper reservoirs, which is then released to generate electricity during peak demand—playing a crucial role in balancing the grid as India accelerates the deployment of intermittent renewables like solar and wind.

Greenko's first pumped storage project, a 1,680 MW facility at Pinnapuram in Andhra Pradesh, is expected to go online by September. The projects are being pursued through a mix of mechanisms, including self-identified proposals, competitive bidding, and public sector allocations.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.