India Targets 100 GW Pumped Hydro Storage by 2035-36 for Green Grid

• India aims to develop 100 GW of pumped hydro storage capacity by 2035-36 to support a renewable-heavy power grid, as per a Ministry of Power roadmap.
• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates India's total pumped storage potential at 266.85 GW, with 209 GW from off-river, closed-loop projects.
• Currently, India has 7.18 GW operational, 11.62 GW under construction, and over 9.5 GW with CEA concurrence awaiting construction.
• Energy storage demand is projected to rise sharply, reaching 161 GW by 2034-35 and 476 GW by 2046-47, with long-duration storage becoming critical post-2030.
• Policy recommendations include faster clearances, simplified land acquisition, competitive bidding, and inter-state transmission charge waivers to accelerate development.

Why It Matters: India is aggressively pursuing 100 GW pumped hydro storage by 2035-36 to stabilize its renewable-dominated power grid.