DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19402006
- Open Access
- Authors : Mr. Snehashis Das, Mr. Sayak Pal, Miss Tithi Mukhopadhyay
- Paper ID : IJERTV15IS031355
- Volume & Issue : Volume 15, Issue 03 , March – 2026
- Published (First Online): 03-04-2026
- ISSN (Online) : 2278-0181
- Publisher Name : IJERT
- License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Indias Shift to Renewable Energy from Conventional Energy and Focus on Pumped Storage Power Plants to Ensure Net Zero
Mr. Snehashis Das
Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technique Polytechnic Institute Hooghly, West Bengal, India ORCID ID: 0009-003-4572-5216
Mr. Sayak Pal
Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technique Polytechnic Institute Hooghly, West Bengal, India ORCID ID: 0009-0001-3117-4957
Miss Tithi Mukhopadhyay
Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Technique Polytechnic Institute Hooghly, West Bengal, India ORCID ID: 0009-006-5318-7915
Abstract – Indias transition from conventional and fossil fuel to renewable non-conventional energy sources is remarkable, in terms of electricity generation. Fifty percent of the capacity, Indias electricity generation depends on non-fossil fuels, ie, almost 250 GW. India has taken the oath to reach zero emission by 2070. To ensure intermittency the country is focusing on solar energy, wind energy, pumped storage projects and battery storage and other much more sustainable and reliable energy sources. The dependency on renewable green energies is gradually increasing. It is expected that India will reach 500 GW electricity production from non-fossil fuel and renewable sources by the end of 2030. The Indian Government has allowed one hundred percent foreign direct investment in these various renewable energy sources. India is also focusing on other pollution free sources and has launched National Green Hydrogen Mission, an initiative to generate, utilize and export pollution free green hydrogen. In generating green electricity, pumped storage hydropower has been named as water battery. In recent years its advantages has attracted important development projects and policy support from Indian government. Currently, India has the total potential of 200 GW from pumped storage power plants. The Central Electricity Authority has approved new development of pumped storage plants with a capacity of 7.5 GW in 2024-2025. In future years India will expand the installed and operational capacity of pumped storage plants. Many new plants are under construction, increasing the overall potential. The Energy and Resources Institute of India has predicted the potential of on- river pumped storage power plants would reach the capacity of 103 GW, it would aid in zero emission and decarbonisation aim of the country.
Keywords – Conventional energy, hydroelectric power plant, hydropower, net zero, non-conventional energy, non- renewable energy, pumped storage power plant, renewable energy
- INTRODUCTION
India, as a developing country has always been keen with the renewable energy sources as well as the conventional sources. With the huge use of water plants utilizing the hydro-energy, Pumped storage plants (PSPs) in India were in development during the 1970s and 1980s. The main reason to bring this
into the energy sector was to address grid balancing and peak demand. Nagarjunasagar hydroelectric power plant, on the Nagarjunsagar dam, built on Krishna River in 1970, is often cited as the first pumped storage plant. Kadamparai PSP, built in 1980s, in the basin of Kadamparai river, was the second one. The industry matured with key projects like Bhira built in1997 by the Mulshi dam, in the 1997. It was a landmark projecting India internationally with its 150 MW facility and one of Asia’s first PSP which was utilized for energy storage and grid stability. In present days India has 4.75 GW of installed capacity. CEA has predicted that India will reach on- river pumped storage hydro potential with major initiatives concentrating on expanding this to 103 GW potential to meet renewable energy storage needs, through various stages of development. The Indian Government has emphasised on the development of pumped storage plants in the country as the major priority amongst the energy storage systems, focusing on renewable energy and Roadmap to Indias 2030 Decarbonization targets and net zero attainment [2] [7] [8].
- ENERGY CRISIS IN INDIA AND NEED TO SHIFT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
The required energy demand of India is growing day by day where the with peak electricity demand is expected to attain
277.2 GW. It is expected in 2026-2027 the energy consumption would be at 1907.8 Billion Units (BU). This demand is rapidly increasing at 66.5% annually, as the requirement of electricity is increasing in various sectors such as household or residential, office and commercial sector, healthcare area, industrial and manufacturing area, and area of transportation and industry and agriculture and public utility areas. Communication system, entertainment system and various outdoor areas also require electricity to work properly. Even in late 2025, India depends on conventional sources of electrical energy such as coal, oil, gas and nuclear. India has the worlds 5th largest coal reservoir and utilizing that, 44% of the generated electricity comes from coal. Oil
and gas share a 4% of generation of the total generated electricity. Nuclear energy contributes to the generation of 1.7% of the total generated electricity. The electricity generation target for 2023-24 was 1750 Billion Units (BU), with a substantial portion (1324.110 BU) from all the available sources such as thermal, hydro, nuclear and renewables. India is taking a big step to diversify its energy sectors and generate electricity from renewable sources with the capacity of 55% of the generation.
sources. They contribute roughly 60% of particulate matter, 45% of Sulfur Dioxide 30% of nitrogen oxides and 80% of mercury emissions within the industrial sector. They also emit significant quantities of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. They all leading to substantial pollution of air, water and soil contamination and fly ash accumulation, resulting in rapid degradation in the air quality.
Fig. 3 Process on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring in India since 2016
Fig. 1 Energy Production from Various Sources
Even though coal dominates the energy sector, there has been a shortage of coal in the recent years due the huge electricity demand and supply chain bottleneck conditions. In spite of record domestic coal production, almost exceeding 893 MT, the shortage prevails in coal based thermal power plants. The low stock level lasts for 4-9 days causing power cuts and needing urgent government intervention to manage the supply demand and production consumption chain [1].
All these reasons are sufficient for India to shift to renewable energy sources, a much cleaner and greener option with zero carbon emission.
- WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANT
Pumped Storage Plant is an arrangement of two water reservoirs present at different height elevations that can produce electrical power as water moves down from one reservoir to the other during the discharge and passing through a water turbine. PSP uses the very basic principle of energy conversion. The stored potential energy in water in the reservoir is converted into mechanical energy and generate electricity.
Fig. 4 Working of a Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Power Plant
Fig. 2 Growth in Capacity in Coal Fired Thermal Power Plants over the Years
Coal-based thermal power plants are enormous pollution
Pumped storage power plants are often considered as a gigantic green battery which is rechargeable as the source is water, stored in reservoirs in the form of gravitational potential energy. PSP works usually in two differen modes.
One is storage phase or pumping mode, the second one is generation phase or turbine mode. Pumping mode occurs when electricity demand is low or there is some additional surplus of renewable energy that may be solar or it may be wind, depending on the location or the setup. The motor- generators of the plant drive the pump-turbines. They push water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir via the penstock and store the energy for future practice. The generation phase or the turbine mode occurs when there is peak electricity demand peaks or renewable production from the additional solar or wind source drops. The process is of pumping mode is reversed. Water gets released from the upper reservoir which is placed in higher elevation. Under the gravitational pull water from the upper reservoir falls through the penstock and rotates the turbines, which eventually drive the generators to produce electricity for the grid. The water then settles in the lower reservoir after passing through the tailrace [6].
Based on the source of water, PSPs can be of two types, open- loop pumped storage and closed-loop pumped storage. In open-loop pumped storage plants, one water reservoir (either the upper one or the lower one) is unceasingly connected to a naturally flowing water source, like a river. In closed-loop pumped storage, the pumped storage site is considered to be off-river and it produces electricity from water pumped up to an upper reservoir without any substantial natural inflow.
advanced stability system together with much faster response time of variable speed pumped storage plant provides increase in overall efficiency of the plant.
In the pumping phase or the energy storage phase, the pumps use the electricity to run and pump the water up from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When variable power input is available, the variable speed of the system provides peak efficiency for the plant. During the generation phase or energy release phase, water from the upper reservoir reaches the lower reservoir driving the turbines with the kinetic energy of the water in motion. A doubly fed induction motor and power electronic convertors are utilized for maximum efficiency. Due to variable speed, wide range of turbine operations can be made possible. Considering pumped storage hydel plant to be a huge water battery, the pumping phase can be compared to the charging and the generating mode can be compared to the discharging of a battery. Maximum power point tracking algorithms and energy management strategies are typically used in the control system. The very first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant of this country is situated and constructed at Tehri, Uttarakhand. It has the potential capacity to operate with a 250 MW unit [2] [3].
Fig. 6 Working of a Variable Speed Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant
Fig. 5 Open Loop and Closed Loop Pumped Storage Hydropwer
- VARIABLE SPEED PUMPED STORAGE PLANT (VSPSP)
Variable Speed Pumped Storage plants are the more economical and advanced from of pumped storage plants. This gigantic water battery provides motor and generator system where the speed can be adjusted. Various power electronics converters are used so that the grid frequency can be managed. This provides optimized overall efficiency as pumping mode and generating mode both can be adjusted depending on the load requirement. Variable speed pumped storage plants have many advantages over the fixed speed pumped storage plants. Since the pump speed can be varied and adjusted, the speed here matches the renewable energy water intake input as it is fluctuating in many times. The
- VARIABLE SPEED PUMPED STORAGE PLANT (VSPSP)
- ADVANTAGES OF PUMPED STORAGE PLANTS OVER CONVENTIONAL SOURCES
A very reliable and dependable source of renewable energy and water battery pumped storage power plants use stored water in the reservoirs as the driving force for the water turbines. They have the leading advantage of being a cradle of green energy and they are free from pollution. They do not harm the atmosphere compared to conventional fossil fuel sources that are extremely harmful for the nature. It has other various significant advantages as well. Once developed, it can run for 80-100 years with a very minimum of running or maintenance cost. It does not need capital investment for the fuel cost or any expensive raw material. It runs on water cycle, which makes it a renewable source of energy. Pumped storage power plants are much more reliable and sustainable than the conventional hydro power plants, as the lower reservoir of the plant at lower elevation collects a generous amount of water for running an crucial isolated cycle when
necessary. Pumped storage power plants have the ability to utilize subsurface subsoil water. In many cases jilted forsaken mine pits have been used as the lower reservoir. This helps pumped storage power plants to produce and generate electrical energy on a short term demand and address the sudden energy fluctuation in demand supply chain. The large waterbody reservoirs can also be used for the purpose of agriculture, irrigation and aquaculture as well. In case of water shortage or drought, the water from the reservoirs can be used to supply water in required areas. Again, in case of flood, the huge quantity of excess water can be accumulated into the reservoir. This would avert the flood like situation and keep the localities safe [5].
its flexibility and reliable nature. The following data from the International Hydropower Association shows the growth and planned projects of PSPs all over the world. 600 GW of production system is currently under process on construction in various stages. The off-river sites possess unparalleled potential in this scenario of being a gigantic battery of green energy.
Fig. 7 Advantages of Pumped Storage Power Plant
S.No. Name of Project State IC (MW) Develop er Stage 2025-26 1 Pinnapu ram Andhra Pradesh 1680 Greenko Under Constru ction (7 units commis sioned total 1440M W)
2 Tehri PSS Uttarak hand 1000 THDC Under Constru Pumped storage power plants are regaining popularity due to Table 1: Pumped Storage Power Capacity Addition Plan till 2035-36
Fig. 8 Pumped Storage Hydropower Capacity Pipeline in MW all over the World
- CAPACITY ADDITION PLAN OF PUMPED STORAGE PLANTS TILL 2031-32
By 2031-32, India will increase the pumped storage projects in a momentous way with the intensification in storage capacity of 175.18 GW, to support the renewable grid [12]. Indias leading power sector body, Central Electricity Authority has approved development of future projects of
ction (2 Units Commis sioned total 500 MW) Sub Total 2680 2026-27 3 Kundah PSP PhI,II & III
Tamilna du 500 TANGE DCO Under Constru ction 4 MP 30 Gandhi Sagar
Madhya Pradesh 1920 Greenko Under Constru ction 47.65 GW electricity requirement that would be generated from pumped storage plants only. The Ministry of Power has proposed to provide single window clearance systems to ensure speedy development [13].
5 Chitrava thi Andhra Pradesh 500 Adani Green Under Constru ction a ka Energy 17 Nayaga on
Maharas htra
2000 Greenko S&I Sub Total
2920 18 Panaura Uttar Pradesh 1500 Adani Green S&I 2027-28 19 Ukai Gujarat 1600 Greenko S&I 6 Saundat ti Karnata ka 1600 Greenko Under Constru ction Sub Total
13500 2030-31 Sub Total
1600 20 Shahpur Rajastha n 1800 Greenko S&I 2028-29 21 Bilaspur Chhattis garh 1000 Jindal Renewa bles
S&I 7 Upper Sileru Andhra Pradesh 1350 APGEN CO Under Constuc tion 22 Pane Maharas htra 1500 JSW Energy
Concurr ed by CEA and yet to be taken up for construc
tion
8 Bhivpur i Maharas htra 1000 Tata Power Under Constru ction
9 Bhavali Maharas htra 1500 JSW Energy
Under Constru ction 10 Gandiko ta Andhra Pradesh 1000 Adani Green Under Constuc tion
23 Malshej ghat Bhorend e Maharas tra 1500 Adani Green S&I 11 Tarali Maharas tra
1500 Adani Green
S&I Sub Total 6350 24 Warasg aon Warangi
Maharas tra 1500 Adani Green S&I 2029-30 12 Kandha ura Uttar Pradesh 1680 JSW Energy
Concurr ed by CEA and yet to be taken up for construc
tion
25 Raiwad a Andhra Pradesh 900 Adani Green S&I 26 Kamala padu Andhra Pradesh 950 APGEN CO S&I 27 Shirawt a Maharas htra 1800 Tata Power Concurr ed by CEA and yet to be taken up for construc
tion
13 UP01 Uttar Pradesh 3660 Greenko S&I 14 Chichlik Uttar Pradesh 1560 Avaada S&I 15 Sirohi Rajastha n
1200 JSW Energy
S&I 28 Saidong ar 1 – Maharas htra 3000 Torrent PSH 4 S&I 16 Narihall Karnata 300 JSW S&I Karjat Pvt. Ltd. i CEA and yet to be taken up for construc
tion
29 Indira Sagar Madhya Pradesh 640 NHDC DPR submitte d & under examina
tion
40 Sharava thy Karnata ka 2000 KPCL Under Constru ction
30 Vempall i Andhra Pradesh 1500 JSW energy
S&I 31 Shoma Uttar Pradesh 2400 Torrent PSH 1 Pvt.
Ltd.
S&I 41 Musakh and Uttar Pradesh 600 ACME S&I 42 Sukhpur a Rajastha n 2560 Greenko S&I 32 Koyna Nivakan e
Maharas htra 2700 Adani Green S&I 43 Serula Gujarat 960 GSECL S&I 44 Dharoi Gujarat 500 GSECL S&I 45 Saidong ar 2 – Maval Maharas htra 1200 Torrent PSH 4 Pvt.
Ltd.
S&I Sub Total 21190 2031-32 33 Kamod Maharas htra 2000 Megha Enginee ring
S&I 46 Jhariya Uttar Pradesh 1620 Jhariya AnantU rja
S&I 34 Ghosla Maharas htra 2000 Megha Enginee ring S&I 47 Rayavar am Andhra Pradesh 1500 APGEN CO & ONGC
S&I 35 Pedakot a Andhra Pradesh 1800 Adani Green S&I 48 Brahma ni Rajastha n 600 ACME Urja Two Private Limited
S&I 36 Upper Bhavani
Tamilna du
1000 NTECL S&I 37 Masinta Odisha 1000 NHPC S&I 38 Turga West Bengal 1000 WBSE DCL Concurr ed by CEA and yet to be taken up for construc
tion
49 Balimel a
Odisha 500 OHPC S&I 50 Gadikot a Andhra Pradesh 1200 APGEN CO & NHPC
S&I Sub Total 13740 2033-34 51 Juni Kayaliw el
Gujarat 300 GSECL S&I Sub Total 8800 2032-33 52 Amalpa da Gujarat 300 GSECL S&I 39 Upper Indravat Odisha 500 OHPC Concurr ed by 53 Juni Gujarat 450 GSECL S&I Bavli 54 Satkashi Gujarat 330 GSECL S&I 55 Upper Kolab Odisha 600 OHPC S&I 56 Savitri Maharas htra 2400 NHPC S&I 57 Hasdeo Bango
Chhattis garh
800 CSPGC L
S&I 58 Sikaser Chhattis garh 1200 CSPGC L S&I 59 Rouni Chhattis garh 2100 CSPGC L S&I 60 Kalu Patti
Uttar Pradesh
1000 Renew Hydro
S&I 61 Pawana Falyan Maharas htra 2400 Avaada S&I Sub Total 11880 Total 82660 4. 2028-2029 6350 5. 2029-2030 13500 6. 2030-2031 21190 7. 2031-2032 8800 TOTAL 82660 Table 2: The consolidated data of Table 1
SL. NO YEAR IC (MW) 1. 2025-2026 2680 2. 2026-2027 2920 3. 2027-2028 1600 Capacity Addition Plan of PSPs till 2031-32
13500 2680 2920 1600 6350
8800 Capacity Addition Plan of PSPs till 2031-32
Fig. 9 Capacity Addition Plan of PSPs till 2031-32
Fig. 10 Total Capacity Addition plan of PSPs till 2031-32
- DISADVANTAGES OF PUMPED STORAGE POWER PLANT
in both off-peak loads and peak loads, balancing grid stability and managing change in load demand. The electricity generated from pumped storage power plants can be cost effective. The plant is reliable and long lasting. During electricity shortage they can be used to provide the much needed back-up. They can also provide the very crucial black start for the grid. Other than environmental benefits, they can be beneficial to the local people living near the plant area. The central government is now focusing to promote pumped storage power plants, they have made developments and the same thing is accepted globally as well.
Fig. 11 Disadvantages of Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plants
Pumped storage power plants have some minor disadvantages in case of large scale analysis in various areas. Initial capital cost of PSP is extremely high. This expensive nature makes the cost per MW generates electricity to be very high. In the process of pumping back water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir, the pumps need to consume electricity to run. This reduces the overall efficiency of the pumped storage power plant. The water when stored in upper and lower reservoirs, go through various significant losses such as evaporation, leakage and water theft. This reduction in mass eventually reduces the overall potential of the water. It causes severe threat to aquatic life, causing damage in the migration pattern of the fishes. This aquatic habitat can cause a sudden drop in the oxygen level of the stored water in reservoirs. This phenomenon of eutrophication impacts the water quality. Due to deoxygenation in water bodies, the riparian areas get negatively affected too. After all these, it has to be kept in mind, pumped storage hydel power plants are completely climate dependant. Natural calamities such as flood or drought or earthquake will affect the production of electricity [4].
- CONCLUSION
Pumped storage plants, also known as the water batteries are undeniably important when talking about energy crisis or pollution management from conventional fossil fuels. The do not any fossil fuel that can produce harmful oxides when burned or when combustion occurs. The carbon footprint can be managed and net zero would be achievable if pumped storage power plants are widely used. They work effectively
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