The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved detailed project reports (DPRs) for six hydro pumped storage projects (PSPs) totalling 7.5 GW in FY 2024–25 which will mark the highest annual approvals to date. The approved projects include Upper Indravati (600 MW) in Odisha, Sharavathy (2,000 MW) in Karnataka, Bhivpuri (1,000 MW) and Bhavali (1,500 MW) in Maharashtra, MP-30 (1,920 MW) in Madhya Pradesh, and Chitravathi (500 MW) in Andhra Pradesh.
The CEA noted that private sector participation in the PSP segment is growing steadily. With the help of self-identified projects, the estimated PSP potential in the country has now crossed 200 GW and is increasing monthly. Looking ahead, the CEA plans to approve at least 13 PSPs totalling 22 GW in 2025–26. Most of these are expected to be commissioned within four years, and no later than 2030.
Currently, eight PSPs with 10 GW capacity are under construction, DPRs for three PSPs (3 GW) have already been concurred, and 49 projects of 66 GW are under survey and investigation. Developers are expected to finalise DPRs for these in the next two years.