Tata Power’s ambitious pumped hydro project in Maharashtra to commence from this month

Tata Power’s much-awaited 1,800 MW pumped hydro storage plant at Shirawata in Pune district and another 1,000 MW PSP at Bhivpuri in Raigad district secured the requisite approvals and clearances, a senior official said.

While the Bhivpuri project received clearance from the Central Electricity Authority, Tata Power aims to commence work this month and commission it in 44 months, by 2028.

The work on the Shirawata project is scheduled to begin by mid-2025 and will be commissioned in 2029. The govt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Power to develop the two pumped hydro storage projects with a combined capacity of 2,800 MW. Upon becoming operational in 2028-29, these projects will enable Tata Power to deliver consumers a blended 24×7 clean power supply.

“These projects require an investment of approximately Rs 13,000 crore, and they will be strategically situated at Shirawata, Pune (1,800 MW) and Bhivpuri, Raigad (1,000 MW) districts,” the official said.

This collaborative venture is positioned to advance the state towards its ambitious goal of evolving into a $1 trillion economy by 2028 whilst creating employment opportunities for over 6,000 individuals, he added.

During surplus energy periods, water will be pumped from the lower reservoir to the higher reservoir, and during peak demand, the stored water will propel turbines, generating electricity. This mechanism will considerably enhance energy security.

A pumped hydro storage project is an established energy storage technology utilised globally to maintain grid stability and facilitate renewable energy integration. Surplus electricity, particularly during off-peak hours when demand is minimal, is utilised to pump water from a lower-elevation reservoir to an upper-elevation one, employing cost-effective, low-demand electricity to operate the pumps.

During high peak demand from consumers, especially during the summer season, the stored water in the upper reservoir is released from the higher elevation through turbines, converting gravitational potential energy into electrical power, which is green energy.

“This system provides a dependable and adaptable means of balancing supply and demand, ensuring grid stability and supporting intermittent renewable energy sources integration,” an official added.