Pumped storage hydropower: India has 7.43 GW operational across 10 projects; CEA projects 73.93 GW storage need by 2031-32
A PIB backgrounder of 19 October 2026 said India has 7.43 GW of operational pumped storage capacity across 10 projects (August 2026), while the CEA projects 73.93 GW of storage by 2031-32, including 26.69 GW from pumped storage.
Summary
Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), often called 'water batteries', store electricity by pumping water to an upper reservoir when power is surplus and generating electricity through turbines when demand rises, a PIB backgrounder released on 19 October 2026 explained. As of August 2026, India had 7.43 GW of operational PSP capacity across 10 projects, with another 15.87 GW across 11 projects under construction or implementation. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects 73.93 GW of storage capacity by 2031-32, including 26.69 GW from PSPs and 47.24 GW from Battery Energy Storage Systems. PSPs are classified as on-stream, off-stream open-loop and off-stream closed-loop schemes.
Key facts
- Operational PSP capacity
- 7.43 GW across 10 projects (August 2026)
- Under construction/implementation
- 15.87 GW across 11 PSPs
- CEA storage projection (2031-32)
- 73.93 GW = 26.69 GW PSP + 47.24 GW BESS
- Non-fossil capacity
- Crossed 300 GW (July 2026); target 500 GW by 2030
- PSP types
- On-stream; off-stream open-loop; off-stream closed-loop
- Closed-loop
- Neither reservoir on a river or perennial stream
Practice MCQs 2 questions
As of August 2026, how much pumped storage project (PSP) capacity was operational in India, as per a PIB backgrounder?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 7.43 GW across 10 projects
Consider the following statements: 1. In an off-stream closed-loop pumped storage scheme, neither reservoir is located on a river, perennial stream or perennial nallah. 2. The Central Electricity Authority projects 73.93 GW of energy storage capacity by 2031-32. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2