DW BUREAU / SHIMLA

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here today that the State Government had decided to venture into the technologically advanced domain of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) as these projects were considered one of the most reliable in balancing power supply from renewable sources such as solar and wind energy. The State Cabinet, in its recent meeting, approved the allotment of the first two such projects including 1630 MW Renukaji Pump Storage Project in Sirmaur district and 270 MW Thana Plaun Pump Storage Project in the Beas Basin of Mandi district to the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL).

Sh. Sukhu stated, "Himachal Pradesh, being a hilly state, is ideally suited for Pumped Storage Projects. The geography offers immense potential for constructing such projects, which will ensure grid stability as these projects are crucial for mitigating power shortages during high-demand periods by releasing stored water to generate electricity through turbines." In the PSP system, water is pumped from a lower to a higher elevation reservoir using low-cost electricity, typically during off-peak hours. When electricity demand rises, the stored water is released back through turbines, converting potential energy into electricity, ensuring energy supply.
(editor@dailyworld.in)