Representative image showing a Hydroelectric power plant.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mumbai: The Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Water Resources, Government of Maharashtra, to develop two prominent Pumped Storage Projects with a total capacity of 4000 MW, the Kamod Pumped Storage Project in Nandurbar and the Ghosla Pumped Storage Project in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
It is noteworthy that MEIL is executing its first pumped storage hydro projects under the Build-Operate-Maintain (BOM) method.
These two projects will involve an estimated investment of Rs. 21,100 crores and are expected to generate employment for approximately 2,500 people. MEIL plans to complete the Ghosla Pumped Storage Project within three and a half years, while the Kamod Pumped Storage Project is expected to be completed in five years.
The two Pumped Storage Projects are off-stream in nature and the projects are planned to provide a minimum of 6 hours of energy storage on a daily basis.
The Pumped Storage Projects will have newly constructed reservoirs - Upper and Lower reservoirs (closed loop system) utilizing the head for the generation of power.
A powerhouse equipped with reversible pump turbines, generators, and other ancillary systems will be installed between the two reservoirs, interconnected through a water conductor system. The reversible turbines will pump water during non-peak hours and generate power during peak demand. Water for the projects will be drawn from existing reservoirs or dams for initial filling and replenished annually to compensate for losses due to evaporation and seepage.
The Pumped Storage Projects are recognized for their cost-effective energy storage, grid management, frequency regulation, and integration with renewable energy sources.
The MoU signing event was attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Power Minister and Deepak Kapoor, Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department and MEIL was represented by company President R.V.R. Kishore, along with Girish, Ravi Kiran, and Sameer Jha.
"These projects will not only address Maharashtra's energy needs but also drive the state's development. We are proud to contribute to national progress by supplying power through the grid across India," said Kishore.