Our pump hydropower history

 

Our journey with hydropower began in 1915, laying a strong foundation for India’s clean energy future. In the 1980s, we ventured into pumped hydro storage, a technology designed for energy flexibility and grid stability. In 1997, we commissioned Asia’s first pumped hydro storage project at Bhira, Maharashtra. This 150 MW facility marked a significant milestone in India's energy-storage landscape.

 

Today, our renewable energy portfolio has expanded beyond water to include solar and wind, underscoring our commitment to sustainable and reliable power for generations to come.

Powering up with pumped hydro storage

Pumped hydro storage is the ultimate power combination of water and energy, one that is here to stay

 

What is pumped hydro? 

Pumped Hydro is a smart way to store energy using the magic of gravity. Deemed as the world’s biggest battery, a pumped hydro storage plant enables you to store excess excess energy generated, irrespective of the source. When needed, energy is generated through the flow of water from a higher reservoir to the lower one. With 75-80% efficiency, a pumped storage hydro power plant allows energy flexibility and grid independence across the nation.  

Have questions about pumped storage hydropower?  

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How does a pumped storage hydropower plant work? 

Pumped storage hydropower projects in India utilize the gravitational potential of earth to generate energy. A pumped storage hydropower plant consists of two reservoirs at different heights. Our pumped hydro storage plants work in two modes: 


Pumping mode (Storage phase): When electricity supply exceeds demand, the excess energy generated is used to pump water from the lower reservoir into the higher one.  


Generation mode (Discharge phase): When energy is consequently needed, the stored water is released into the lower one through turbines to generates electricity in the pumped storage hydropower plant.


A pumped storage hydropower project constitutes the following elements: 
 - Two reservoirs (upper and lower) 
 - Reversible turbines (that pump water and generate electricity) 
 - Waterways (large pipes and tunnels and that carry water between the reservoirs) 
 - Powerhouse (converts water flow into electricity) 
 - Transmission lines (that carry electricity to the grid) 
 - Inlet and outlet structures (to manage water flow) 

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Tata Power’s pumped hydro storage benefits

Empowering you for hours

Long discharge duration of our pumped hydro storage plants ensures unhindered energy supply for over 4-6 hours

Curbing losses

The high round-trip efficiency of our pumped hydro storage in India ensures that 75–80% of energy is retrieved by the system 

Lighting up your world

Even when the grid is out for hours, our pumped hydro plants can black start so you don’t need to run about during emergencies 

Standing tall with you

Our pumped hydro systems are built to last. With a lifespan exceeding 80 years, these systems can be recharged and used for years 

Keeping steady during spikes

Peak load management during spikes and dips helps reduce costs and avoid blackouts 

Tipping the balance

Our plants ensure grid balancing and frequency regulation to avoid equipment damage or accidents

 

Our pumped storage hydropower projects

Our pumped storage hydropower initiatives are an integral lever to achieving India’s renewable energy goals. But here is what strengthens our backbone

 

Bhira, Maharashtra

150 MW pumped hydro storage project; 1997 

Bhivpuri, Maharashtra

Shirawata, Maharashtra

Proposed 1800 MW project  

Potalpali, Maharashtra

Kataldhara, Maharashtra

Nenavali, Maharashtra

Jambulpada, Maharashta

 

Types of pumped storage hydropower plants 

  • Open loop pumped hydro plant
    Connected to a natural water body like lakes, rivers, etc.   Tata Power’s Bhivpuri Pumped Storage Plant uses Thokarwadi’s water
as an upper reservoir.
  • Closed loop pumped hydro storage
    Use two artificial reservoirs; independent of natural bodies of water.   While the nation primarily focuses on open-loop system units till date, Tata Power
is all set to change the trend. We’re exploring closed loop systems to alleviate environmental damage, while protecting our communities.   

Frequently asked questions

 

Pumped hydro, or pumped hydro energy storage, is a system that stores electricity by pumping water to a higher reservoir during low demand and releasing it through turbines in a pumped storage hydro power plant to generate power during peak demand. 

The benefits of pumped hydro storage include high efficiency, grid stability, large-scale energy storage, and supports renewable energy integration. It’s one of the most mature and reliable pumped hydro energy storage systems worldwide. 

Pumped hydro storage in India began in the 1980s, with several pumped storage hydropower projects commissioned since then. Key pumped storage hydro power plants include Kadamparai (Tamil Nadu, 400 MW), Bhira (Maharashtra, 150 MW), Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh, 900 MW), Ghatgar (Maharashtra, 250 MW), Purulia (West Bengal, 900 MW), and Jayakwadi (Paithan, Maharashtra, 12 MW). Notably, Tata Power’s Bhira pumped storage hydro power plant, commissioned in 1997, was the first of its kind in Asia, marking a significant milestone in pumped hydro energy storage. 

Pumped hydro storage systems generally have an efficiency of 70-85%, making pumped storage hydropower one of the most efficient energy storage solutions.

Environmental impacts of pumped storage hydropower plants may vary depending on the system type, location, and size. Open loop pumped hydro storage may affect aquatic ecosystems due to natural water source use, whereas closed loop systems reduce such impacts by recycling water between reservoirs with minimal ecological disturbance.

A pumped storage hydro power plant can supply power for several hours, depending on reservoir size and system design, making pumped hydro energy storage ideal for balancing daily grid fluctuations.

 

 Yes, pumped hydro storage plays a crucial role in renewable energy adoption by storing excess power from intermittent sources like wind and solar, stabilizing the grid, and enabling continuous power supply through pumped storage hydropower projects.

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