STATUS ON PUMPED STORAGE PROJECTS

The Ministry of Power reports that 11 pumped‑storage projects (PSPs) with a combined capacity of 15,870 MW are under construction, while six additional PSPs (8,140 MW) have been concurred/appraised by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) but not yet started. Recent measures include MoEF&CC’s 2023‑2025 notifications facilitating faster environmental clearances, CEA’s reduction of DPR concurrence time from 90 to 50 days, and a 2025 Gazette revision raising the capital‑expenditure limit to ₹3,000 crore and exempting off‑stream closed‑loop schemes from CEA concurrence. The CERC has waived inter‑state transmission charges for 25 years for projects awarded before 30 June 2028. These steps aim to enhance private participation and support renewable‑energy integration through long‑duration storage.