Bengaluru: The energy department received a shot in the arm Friday with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), approving the detailed project report (DPR) for the 2,000 MW Hydro Pump Storage plant in the Sharavathi valley in Shivamogga.
A major initiative in Karnataka’s renewable energy sector, the plant is expected to be set up between the Talakalale dam of Shivamogga and Gerusoppa reservoir of Uttara Kannada in the dense forests of the Sharavathi valley.
Karnataka energy minister KJ George said this is a significant milestone in the state’s energy sector. “It can offer a reliable solution for balancing grid stability and meeting peak power demands. With a substantial capacity of 2,000 MW, the plant will leverage the existing Sharavathi river system to store and generate electricity efficiently,” George said.
The project, hailed for its flexibility, adapts to the growing fluctuations in the surging demand for energy. “Whenever there is a drop in the demand, the water is pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher one. When the energy demand peaks, the same pumped water will be utilised to generate electricity. As the water is reused, there will be no dearth of water for irrigation and the state can generate electricity in summer,” said Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary, energy department, Karnataka.
As the project has been planned in the ecologically-sensitive Western Ghats region and close to the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary, the project is facing stiff opposition from green activists and conservationists. Karnataka is yet to obtain environmental clearance for the project from the National Board for Wildlife.
