'Pumped storage projects ecologically damaging, prioritize battery energy storage systems'

By A Representative

In a letter addressed to the Secretaries of Power, New & Renewable Energy (N&RE), and Environment, Forest & Climate Change (EF&CC), climate and energy policy analyst Shankar Sharma has made a strong case for prioritizing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) over Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) in India’s quest for sustainable energy security.

Highlighting the growing environmental opposition to large river valley PSPs such as the 2,000 MW Sharavathi Valley project in Karnataka, Sharma emphasized the clear advantages of BESS in terms of land use, cost, and ecological impact. He noted that BESS requires only about 0.1 to 0.5 acre per MW, compared to hundreds of acres of forest land needed for PSPs. Furthermore, the cost of BESS in India is estimated at ₹2.20–₹2.40 crore per MWh, which, he argued, is justified given its minimal ecological footprint and flexibility of deployment across the grid.

Sharma pointed out that BESS can be installed at substations and distributed locations without affecting wildlife sanctuaries or cutting forests. In contrast, PSPs, particularly in fragile ecological zones, can lead to irreversible damage to biodiversity and water systems.

He also cited recent developments to support his argument, including large-scale BESS tenders floated by Gujarat and Maharashtra (each for 2,000 MW/4,000 MWh), and regulatory approvals for similar projects in Karnataka and Kerala. International advancements, such as Australia’s moves towards a 100% renewable-powered grid with long-duration BESS, further underscore the relevance of battery storage as a key component of the future energy mix.

Sharma expressed concern over the lack of rigorous policy-level evaluation of PSPs versus BESS in India. He criticized authorities for proceeding with ecologically sensitive PSP projects without conclusively establishing their necessity or exploring BESS as a viable alternative.

Calling for an immediate pause on the clearance process for the Sharavathi Valley PSP and similar projects, Sharma urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to withhold permissions until a comprehensive, national-level comparative policy on PSP and BESS is developed.

He concluded by stressing that energy planning must align with ecological wellbeing, and that technology choices like BESS offer a pathway that avoids environmental degradation while meeting the country’s power needs.

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