Pumped Storage Hydropower Powering India's Clean Energy Transition
PIB Backgrounder · Infrastructure · Posted 19 OCT 2026 11:02AM
What happened
The PIB backgrounder details India's strategy for Pumped Storage Hydropower as a key long-duration energy storage solution to support its renewable energy transition. It highlights current capacities, regional potential, and government policy initiatives to achieve a cumulative PSP capacity of 105.56 GW by 2035-36.
Why it matters for UPSC
This release is important for UPSC civil services preparation under infrastructure and energy security, illustrating policies and targets associated with renewable energy integration and long-duration storage technologies.
Key objectives
- India has set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with non-fossil fuel capacity crossing 300 GW as of July 2026.
- The Central Electricity Authority projects 73.93 GW of storage capacity by 2031-32, comprising 26.69 GW from Pumped Storage Projects and 47.24 GW from Battery Energy Storage Systems.
- India has 7.43 GW of operational Pumped Storage Project capacity across 10 projects as of August 2026, ranking fourth globally.
- Projects totalling 100.81 GW are envisaged for commissioning by 2035-36, taking cumulative capacity to 105.56 GW.