India’s Avaada plans 1.2 GW pumped hydro storage project in Rajasthan

Avaada Group has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government of Rajasthan to develop a 1.2 GW pumped hydro storage project in the Sirohi district of the state. The MoU was signed between Ministry of Power, the government of Rajasthan, and Avaada Group’s Avaada Aqua Batteries arm.

The INR 58 billion project will be developed over the next five to seven years.

The plan complements Avaada’s previously announced investment of INR 1 trillion to develop a 1 million tons-per-year green ammonia project, 1 GW of wind power generation capacity, and 10 GW of solar in the state. Spread across key districts including Jhalawar, Kota, Barmer, and Bikaner, the ventures will collectively generate significant employment opportunities in Rajasthan.

Avaada Group Chair Vineet Mittal said, “Our pumped storage project will not only provide round-the-clock (RTC) renewable power but also enhance grid stability by integrating more solar and wind energy. This is part of our broader commitment to Rajasthan, where we are actively pursuing solar, wind-hybrid, and other innovative projects to meet the state’s growing energy needs and reduce its carbon footprint.”

Rajasthan has 28,617 MW of installed renewable energy generation capacity. Intermittent generation from renewables sites requires effective energy storage solutions. Pumped hydro storage projects address this need by storing surplus clean energy during the day and releasing it during peak demand periods, or at night, ensuring steady power supply.

Avaada Group has a presence across solar module manufacturing; renewable power generation; and the development of green hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia; as well as sustainable aviation fuel projects. The company’s renewable power generation arm, Avaada Energy, aims to achieve generation capacity of 11 GWp by 2026. The group’s strong execution capabilities have attracted substantial international investment, including a $1.3 billion commitment in early 2023, plus $1 billion from Brookfield’s Energy Transition Fund, and $300 million from GPSC, a subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Group.

From pv magazine India.