India Approves New Energy Projects by JSW Energy and Tata Power
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has given the green light to two new hydro-pumped storage projects in Maharashtra. These projects are part of India’s efforts to boost renewable energy. The 1500 MW Bhavali PSP is being developed by JSW Energy Ltd., and the 1000 MW Bhivpuri PSP is being developed by Tata Power Co. Ltd. Together, they will provide more than 15 GWh of storage capacity.
The Ministry of Power stated that these projects will help integrate renewable energy faster and support the transition to a greener energy system. The projects received support from the Central Water Commission (CWC), Geological Survey of India (GSI), and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS). They were approved within 10 days of completing the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
The developers aim to fast-track the projects and complete them within 44 to 46 months, by 2028. This large-scale energy storage is crucial for meeting peak demand during non-solar hours and ensuring grid stability.
The CEA plans to approve at least two PSPs each month this year, depending on the completion of DPRs. For 2024-25, the CEA targets to approve 15 Hydro PSPs with a total capacity of 25,500 MW. So far, 4 PSPs with a capacity of 5,100 MW have been approved.
To make the process more transparent, the CEA has developed an online portal called ‘Jalvi-store’ for the pre-DPR stage of PSPs. The CEA highlighted the growing role of private players in driving India’s energy transition, marking a shift towards a collaborative energy ecosystem. This partnership between public and private sectors aims to accelerate progress towards India’s renewable energy targets and enhance the reliability and sustainability of the electricity grid.
Doubts Revealed
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) -: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a government organization in India that helps plan and manage the country’s electricity supply.
hydro-pumped storage projects -: Hydro-pumped storage projects are special power plants that store energy by moving water between two reservoirs at different heights. They help store electricity for later use.
JSW Energy Ltd. -: JSW Energy Ltd. is a company in India that produces electricity. They work on different types of energy projects, including renewable energy.
Tata Power Co. Ltd. -: Tata Power Co. Ltd. is another big company in India that generates electricity. They are part of the Tata Group, which is a large business group in India.
15 GWh -: 15 GWh stands for 15 gigawatt-hours. It’s a way to measure a large amount of electricity. One gigawatt-hour can power about 1 million homes for an hour.
electricity grid -: The electricity grid is a network of wires and power stations that deliver electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.
energy transition -: Energy transition means changing from using old types of energy, like coal, to new, cleaner types of energy, like solar and wind power.