Odisha Signs Pact for 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project to Boost Renewable Energy Integration

Bhubaneswar: To strengthen India’s green energy transition, the Odisha government on Monday signed a key agreement with WAPCOS Ltd for project management consultancy services for the proposed 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project (UIPSP) at Mukhiguda in Kalahandi district. The agreement was signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and Energy Principal Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev.

The project is being developed by the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd (OHPC) and will be located near the state’s existing 600 MW Upper Indravati Hydro Electric Project, also operated by OHPC.

The UIPSP is envisioned as a large-scale energy storage system, critical for balancing power supply and demand in the grid as the country accelerates its reliance on renewable sources like solar and wind, which are inherently variable. By 2030, the Government of India aims to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, a significant leap from the existing 220 GW as of March 31, 2025.

“This project is not just about generating electricity — it’s about stabilizing the grid for the future of sustainable energy,” said Deputy CM K V Singh Deo. He emphasized that the pumped storage facility would play a vital role in ensuring Odisha’s leadership in energy reliability and innovation.

The Pumped Storage Project (PSP) will function by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir during times of surplus energy in the grid, typically when solar or wind generation is high. During peak demand hours, the water will be released from the upper reservoir to the lower one, generating electricity — effectively storing energy like a giant battery.

The UIPSP will feature an underground powerhouse near the lower reservoir, equipped with four 150 MW vertical-axis reversible Francis turbines, capable of operating in both pumping and generating modes.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project has been prepared by WAPCOS, a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Senior officials from the Energy Department, Water Resources Department, OHPC, and WAPCOS were present during the signing ceremony, underlining the multi-sectoral importance of this development.

Once operational, the Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project will enhance grid flexibility, renewable energy integration, and energy security, marking a bold step in Odisha’s journey toward a sustainable and resilient energy future.