Pumped hydro project near Malshej Ghat gets approval for impact studies, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• THDC India Ltd's 1,200-MW pumped hydro project near Malshej Ghat received preliminary approval for environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies.
• The project, estimated to cost ₹6,815 crore, is located in the Kalu river valley and requires 310 hectares of land.
• The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) directed THDC to submit water utilization mapping and obtain hydrological clearances.
• The project uses a closed-loop system and is located 3 km from the Kalsubai Harishchandragad wildlife sanctuary.

Detailed Insights:

• The project site includes villages listed as eco-sensitive areas in the Centre’s 2024 draft notification on protection of Western Ghats.
• The pumped hydro project will use a 28-31 m high dam for the upper reservoir and initially draw water from the Kalu River to fill the lower reservoir.
• Pumped storage involves pumping water between two reservoirs at different elevations to generate electricity during high demand.
• The EAC has directed developers to obtain hydrological clearances from the Central Water Commission and state government due to other projects drawing water from the Kalu river.
• The EAC has advised THDC to ensure that small rivulets feeding water into the Kalu river are not disturbed during project establishment.
• A sub-committee will visit the project site before environmental clearance, given its location in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats.
• The central government is promoting pumped hydro generation to achieve its net-zero plans and generate 500 GW of non-fossil-based power.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process to evaluate the environmental consequences of a proposed project or policy.
• Pumped Hydro Storage: A type of hydroelectric energy storage system used for load balancing.
• Closed-loop System: A system where water is recycled within the project without continuous draw from a river.