NHPC Urged to Prioritise 20,000 MW Pumped Storage Pipeline by Parliamentary Panel.

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings (CoPU) has asked state-run NHPC to accord the highest strategic priority to its planned 20,000 MW pumped storage project (PSP) pipeline, while urging the Ministry of Power to fast-track site allotments, statutory clearances and off-take guarantee mechanisms to support the country's energy storage ambitions.

In its report tabled in Parliament on August 6, the committee said the measures were essential for achieving India's pumped storage capacity targets and strengthening grid stability amid the rapid expansion of renewable energy.

The committee also reviewed the impact of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that forced the shutdown of NHPC's 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station, noting that the utility suffered generation losses of more than 3,770 million units (MU) over the past two years.

It recommended that NHPC adhere strictly to its June 15, 2026, target for recommissioning the Teesta-V project and submit monthly progress reports to the Ministry of Power on restoration work.

According to the report, NHPC is developing around 20,000 MW of pumped storage capacity across multiple states as part of its long-term clean energy strategy. The company has also been designated as a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) implementing agency and has been allocated 1,500 MWh of battery storage capacity.