SECI Concludes 1,500 MW Pumped Storage Auction; 1,344 MW Awarded to Three Developers

• Awarded Capacity: A total of 1,344 MW of pumped storage capacity was awarded out of the 1,500 MW (12,000 MWh) offered in the tender.
• Successful Bidders: The capacity was allocated to three developers: Greenko Energies, Tata Power, and Torrent Energy Storage Solutions.
• Storage Context: The tender defines a total storage requirement of 12,000 MWh, reflecting an eight-hour discharge duration for the 1,500 MW capacity.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has announced the results for its 1,500 MW / 12,000 MWh pumped storage tender, awarding a total of 1,344 MW across three successful developers. Greenko Energies, Tata Power, and Torrent Energy Storage Solutions secured the capacity following a competitive bidding process. The procurement is aimed at managing variable renewable energy (VRE) integration and peak demand, in line with the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) Resource Adequacy requirements.

Tender Background and Timeline

The tender process was initiated in December with an original capacity of 1,000 MW / 8,000 MWh. The offering was subsequently expanded to its final 1,500 MW / 12,000 MWh specification. The auction was conducted under the “Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Guidelines for Procurement of Storage Capacity/Stored Energy From Pumped Storage Plants” notified by the Ministry of Power (MoP) in February 2025. This framework supports the national roadmap to achieve 100 GW of pumped storage capacity by 2035-36, addressing the intermittency of the 254 GW of renewable energy currently installed in the Indian grid.

Breakdown of Successful Bids

The following table summarizes the capacity awarded to each developer:

Developer Project Pipeline and Geographic Context:

• Greenko Energies: The 720 MW award complements the developer’s existing pipeline, which includes the 1,920 MW Gandhi Sagar project in Madhya Pradesh and the 1,600 MW Saundatti project in Karnataka. Both are off-stream configurations currently under construction.
• Tata Power: The 324 MW award follows a bid for 660 MW. The developer’s pipeline in Maharashtra includes the 1,000 MW Bhivpuri site and the 1,800 MW Shirawata project. These sites are strategically located in a state that the CEA identifies as requiring 2,844 MW of storage capacity by 2034-35.
• Torrent Energy Storage Solutions: The 300 MW award is linked to the developer’s concurrent project site at Karjat (Saidongar-1) in Maharashtra. This site has a total identified potential of 3,000 MW and has received CEA concurrence.

Operational Scope and Project Framework

The projects are structured under a framework that defines the division of duties between the developer and the procurement entity:

• Developer Responsibilities: The successful bidders are responsible for land acquisition for upper and lower reservoirs, project setup (including electromechanical systems and civil works), and securing grid connectivity for power evacuation.
• Buying Entity Responsibilities: The procurer is tasked with the management of charging and discharging cycles and the supply of energy required for the pumping mode.
• Technical Configuration: While the framework allows for both Open Loop and Off-stream Closed Loop configurations, there is a distinct industry shift toward the latter. According to CEA data, 52 of the 54 projects currently under Survey & Investigation (S&I) are closed-loop systems, which are favored for their minimal impact on natural river ecology and reduced hydrological risk.

Technical Context of Awarded Assets

Technical characteristics for the awarded assets are aligned with Central Electricity Authority (CEA) benchmarks for long-duration storage:

• Gestation Period: Off-stream Closed Loop projects typically require a construction period of 3.5 to 4 years from the commencement of work.
• Storage Duration: The 12,000 MWh requirement necessitates a discharge capability of 8 hours, meeting the CEA’s definition of long-duration storage (6+ hours) required to integrate higher quanta of renewable energy.
• System Services: These assets are designed to provide grid stability services, including frequency regulation, voltage support, and black-start capability, acting as a safety net against rapid fluctuations in RE output.

Official Sources

Tata Power Company Limited: Media Release: MoU with Government of Maharashtra for 2800 MW Pumped Hydro Projects,.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI): PSP-I Result – RfS for setting up of 1500 MW/12000 MWh Pumped Storage Plants in India,.

Central Electricity Authority (CEA): Roadmap to 100 GW of Hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) by 2035-36,.

All figures regarding the auction outcome, including awarded MW totals and specific winner metrics, are based on the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) results. Technical project characteristics, state-specific storage targets, and developer pipelines are derived from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) “Roadmap to 100 GW of Hydro Pumped Storage Projects” and official developer disclosures.