In a significant advancement towards India's renewable energy objectives, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) approved two new pumped storage projects (PSPs) in Maharashtra. These projects consist of the 1,500 MW Bhavali PSP, being developed by JSW Energy, and the 1,000 MW Bhivpuri PSP by Tata Power Co, collectively contributing over 15 GWh of storage capacity.

The approval of the projects received backing from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Geological Survey of India (GSI), and the Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS). The CEA granted approval within ten days of receiving the developers' Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), which were submitted through the newly launched online portal "Jalvi-store."

The developers of these PSPs expressed their commitment to expediting the completion of the projects, aiming for commissioning within 44 to 46 months, by 2028. These large-scale energy storage projects are anticipated to enhance grid stability by providing energy storage during non-solar hours and facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

The CEA aims to approve at least two PSPs each month this year, targeting a total of 15 hydro PSPs with a combined capacity of 25,500 MW during 2024-25. To date, four PSPs with a capacity of 5,100 MW have been approved.

To improve efficiency and transparency, the CEA has streamlined the PSP approval process through the "Jalvi-store" portal, removing certain pre-DPR chapters and offering clearer guidelines. Multiple teams from the GSI and CWC have been designated to expedite the approval of design chapters.

A CEA official remarked that the approval of these projects, led by private developers, highlights the increasing role of the private sector in facilitating India’s energy transition, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to achieve India's renewable energy targets.