Optimal usage of existing big dams as pumped hydro storage, India’s energy future

By 2030, India aims to achieve 500GW of non-fossil fuel installed capacity, for almost 50% of the country’s energy requirements. Simultaneously, India has to build its storage capacity due to the intermittent nature of most non-fossil-based energy sources. Here, hydropower plants became an instant solution, apart from battery energy storage systems.

Quoting the 2022 Hydropower Status Report, 94%  of installed global energy storage capacity is pumped hydro storage. Here, China is leading the charge with 44.7 GW. TERI’s Report on Pumped Storage Plants - Essential for India's Energy Transition, “emphasizes the development of pumped storage plants in the country”. For India too, this is an attractive prospect.

Optimal usage of current hydropower plants

Central Electricity Authority of India estimates the on-river country’s pumped storage hydro potential to be about 103 GW. As of Jan 2024, 4.75 GW of pumped storage plants are installed in the country. Approx, 3.3 GW are working in pumping mode, and about 44.5 GW projects are at various development stages. These are more than approx 26 GW, as per the Draft National Electricity Plan 2031-2032.

According to an article by Himanshu Thakkar, 89% of the hydro projects are underperforming. The projects have significant initial costs i.e. Rs 10 crore per MW. Hence, adding more is only economically viable if we use the existing capacity optimally.

As per 2015 data, only 3% of dams in India can generate electricity. The remaining 97% are utilised for irrigation or other purposes. If this is the case, easily these dams can be utilised to produce or store energy first, instead of building a new infrastructure as United States is retrofitting the existing dams.

Big private companies are also leaving hydel projects. At least, 28 hydroelectric projects have stalled in the himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. As per another 2017 report, companies like Tata Group, Reliance, Jindal and Larsen & Toubro had surrendered big hydel projects. The reasons can range from its long gestation period to court cases. For some even the environmental cost, and impact on the fragile ecosystem.

Way Forward

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called the dams the 'temples of modern India'. They were presented as instruments to pathways of agricultural and economic development. We are made to count the utilities of such big infrastructure projects. With India expanding its storage capacity, pumped storage hydro systems are in conversation. 

However, the environmental impact is being diminished, as most of these PSPs are being built on existing hydropower plants. Experts and activists have criticised hydropower plant projects in the Himalayas and other places.  October 2023, Sikkim GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) claimed several lives and wreaked havoc. People have lost lives in trying to open the gates during heavy rainfall. Even when gates are opened it leads to the loss of property and lives. There is a significant amount of loss of marine life, and biodiversity. Still, it never becomes part of conversations.

Some activists and environmental experts have raised questions about the EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) or SIA (Social Impact Assessment) for several projects. Due to recent amendments, and the ‘ease of doing business’ approach of the central government, the pathway of such projects has become easier.

With scorching summers and heatwaves, the energy demand in the urban areas would spike. Not just this, with the great push for industries, there could be a mismatch in energy needs and demands. Hence, optimal storage options are necessary for constant electricity supply and grid stability.

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