NTPC's Innovative 3 GW Pumped Hydro Project for Tamil Nadu

NTPC India Ltd, a prominent power producer in the nation, is contemplating the establishment of a 3 GW pumped hydro storage initiative in Tamil Nadu.

During its Q3FY24 earnings call, the company management disclosed plans for a cumulative capacity of around 8 GW. This revised strategy contrasts with their prior discussions of targeting 14 GW across nine states. Presently, the emphasis is on 8 GW projects, with Tamil Nadu designated for the 3 GW storage project. NTPC is currently engaged in advanced negotiations to formalize an agreement with the state government for this venture.

Furthermore, NTPC is devising plans for 1,200 MW of storage capacity in Chhattisgarh, along with 1,000 MW each in Gujarat and Meghalaya.

Regarding the timeline for these storage projects, NTPC management approximates about two years for the detailed project report, with construction anticipated to span 5-6 years.

Both pumped hydro storage (PHS) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are presently viewed as economically feasible, with PHS attracting significant investments. PHS operates as a gravity-based energy storage technology, featuring two water reservoirs at varying elevations. Surplus power on the grid is utilized during low-demand periods to pump water from the lower to the upper reservoir via reversible turbines. Conversely, during peak demand, water is released into the lower reservoir, propelling turbines to generate electricity.

PHS dominated grid-scale energy storage tender issuance in 2023, comprising approximately 56%. Notably, Madhya Pradesh issued a substantial tender in June 2023 for 16.4 GW PHS capacity, distributed across 14 sites, as indicated by a recent report from IEEFA & JMK Research.

News by Rahul Yelligetti