Invest UP to develop infrastructure for Pumped Storage Projects in line with CM Yogi’s vision

Lucknow : The Yogi government, dedicated to propelling Uttar Pradesh towards becoming a one trillion-dollar economy, has made significant strides in recent years, particularly in increasing the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Implementing various reforms in the energy sector alongside developments in industry, investment, tourism, and civic amenities has been a critical factor in this progress.

While large-scale solar and wind energy projects are being rapidly accelerated in the state, the Yogi government is also taking significant steps to establish Uttar Pradesh as a hub of pumped storage projects and to develop the necessary infrastructure to support this initiative.

In line with Chief Minister Yogi’s vision, Invest UP has been tasked with overseeing the development of this infrastructure. To facilitate progress, a high-level committee has been established within Invest UP, and the selection and allocation process for a consultancy firm to manage these projects has commenced.

In alignment with Chief Minister Yogi’s vision, the focus is now on transforming Uttar Pradesh into a hub for solar and wind energy and pumped storage projects (PSP).

A comprehensive action plan has been formulated under his guidance and is currently being implemented.

Invest UP, the state’s nodal agency for investment will submit a preliminary assessment report as part of this initiative. Based on the selection and allocation of a consultancy firm, this report will consider various factors, including capacity, needs, and development standards for PSP sites.

Four divisions have been identified for PSP development: Chitrakoot Dham, Jhansi, Varanasi, and Vindhyachal. These divisions will shortlist potential sites and submit related preliminary assessment reports.

The 1200 MW pumped storage project in Sonbhadra has already received in-principle approval from the Yogi government.

The Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) scheme stands out for several reasons. It offers rapid ramping capacity, essential for addressing sudden shortfalls in energy generation. When renewable energy sources like solar and wind experience unexpected drops in output, hydroelectric PSPs can serve as a reliable alternative, providing the necessary power.

PSPs are crucial for both intra-day and inter-day energy balancing, storing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during peak times. This capability helps manage daily and weekly fluctuations in energy supply and demand.

Additionally, PSPs enhance overall energy efficiency by enabling large-scale energy storage, optimizing the utilization of generated power, and improving system efficiency.

To enhance the PSP framework in the state, the consultancy agency selected and allocated by Invest UP will prioritize projects with a capacity of more than 500 megawatts.

Once allocated, the agency will be responsible for preparing a report based on various criteria, including machine configuration, 6-hour peaking capacity, open-closed loop PSP, hydrology, power evacuation, water source availability, indicative CAPEX, round-trip efficiency, surge shaft, powerhouse, land requirements, and upper and lower reservoir capacities, as well as access roads. Following this, a framework for developing and regularly monitoring these projects will also be established.