India's pumped storage pipeline hits 2,90,196 MW potential; only 7,426 MW operational as of 30 April 2026
The Central Electricity Authority’s Pumped Storage Development Status Report as on April 30, 2026 shows the scale of India’s storage opportunity.
India’s total identified pumped storage potential stands at 2,90,196 MW.
This potential is spread across 264 identified projects.
The number makes India one of the world’s largest undeveloped pumped storage markets.
Project classification
The identified pipeline includes both on-stream and off-stream pumped storage projects.
On-stream generating pumped storage projects account for 63 projects.
Their combined potential is 56,926 MW.
Off-stream storage pumped storage projects account for 201 projects.
Their combined potential is 2,33,270 MW.
This shows that most of India’s future pumped storage potential lies in off-stream project development.
Operational capacity
Against the massive identified potential, only 10 projects are currently operational.
Their combined capacity is 7,425.60 MW.
This means only around 2.6% of the identified potential has been developed.
The gap between potential and operational capacity remains very large.
Existing projects
Operational projects include Tehri PSP of 1,000 MW by THDC.
They also include Srisailam LBPH of 900 MW by TSGENCO.
Kadamparai of 400 MW by TANGEDCO is another important project.
Ghatgar of 250 MW by Mahagenco and Bhira PSS HPS of 150 MW in Maharashtra also form part of the operational fleet.
Tehri PSP is the newest addition, with its fourth unit commissioned in April 2026.
Under-construction pipeline
The under-construction pipeline has grown meaningfully.
Eleven projects totalling 15,870 MW are currently under construction.
This reflects faster movement by both public-sector and private developers.
Policy support from the Ministry of Power has helped accelerate construction activity.
Major projects
Key under-construction projects include Adani’s 1,200 MW Rampur PSP in Himachal Pradesh.
JSW Energy’s 1,500 MW Kutehr project is also part of the pipeline.
Torrent Power’s 3,000 MW Saidongar Karjat PSP in Maharashtra is among the largest off-stream pumped storage projects in India.
The Saidongar Karjat project received CEA concurrence in FY26.
Survey and investigation stage
The survey and investigation stage remains the largest active category.
There are 65 projects totalling 93,350 MW at various stages of site investigation.
This shows that the pipeline is deep, but still far from construction.
An additional large project universe remains outside operational capacity.
This highlights the long gestation cycle of pumped storage development.
Target challenge
The government has set a target of reaching 40 GW of pumped storage capacity by 2031-32.
Achieving this will require unprecedented acceleration.
Projects must move quickly from survey and investigation to detailed project report preparation, clearances, financing, construction, and commissioning.
Given the complexity of pumped storage projects, this will be a major execution challenge.
Strategic importance
Pumped storage is becoming critical for India’s renewable energy transition.
As solar and wind capacity rises, the grid needs flexible storage that can absorb surplus renewable generation and supply power during evening peaks.
Pumped storage provides long-duration storage and grid-balancing capability.
It can also support frequency stability and peak demand management.
Market message
India has no shortage of pumped storage potential.
The real challenge is conversion.
Only 7,426 MW is operational against an identified potential of 2,90,196 MW.
The next phase will depend on faster clearances, stronger financing models, transmission readiness, environmental safeguards, and credible offtake arrangements.
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