The Maharashtra government‘s water resources department inked three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to initiate pump storage hydro power projects with a total capacity of 5,630 megawatts (MW). The projects are projected to require an investment of ₹24,631 crore and are expected to generate approximately 10,300 jobs.
The pump storage process involves generating hydro power from an upper reservoir, storing the water in a lower reservoir, and then pumping it back to the upper reservoir during nighttime to maximize power production during peak daytime demand. As the nodal agency, the water resources department has partnered with Mahagenco, Tata Power, and Avaada Group to advance these projects.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that these MOUs will support the goal of sourcing 50% of the state’s power from renewable resources by 2030. Mahagenco plans to enhance its existing Koyna foot storage hydro power project with an additional 80 MW pump storage facility.
Tata Power has committed to developing two significant pumped hydro storage projects: a 1,000 MW facility in Bhivpuri, Raigad district, and an 1,800 MW project in Shirawata, Pune district, with investments estimated at ₹13,000 crore, aiming for completion by the financial years 2027 and 2028.
Avaada Group, known for its focus on green energy, has agreed to develop two pump storage projects with a total capacity of 2,750 MW. These include the 1,500 MW Pawana-Falyan project spanning Pune and Raigad districts, and the 1,250 MW Kumbhavade project located in Kolhapur and Ratnagiri districts. Avaada is set to invest around ₹14,000 crore in these ventures over the next five to seven years.
These agreements represent a significant advancement in Maharashtra’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable power solutions. The pump storage projects are anticipated to play a vital role in addressing the state’s growing energy needs while contributing to its renewable energy goals.
This initiative also underscores the strengthening collaboration between government bodies and private companies in developing large-scale infrastructure projects. As these projects move forward, they are likely to make a considerable impact on Maharashtra’s energy sector and could serve as a benchmark for other states aiming to enhance their renewable energy infrastructure.
