NHPC, a leading player in the Indian energy sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Power Corporation Limited, Government of Gujarat for setting up a 750 MW Kuppa Pumped Hydro Storage Project in the state.
As per the MoU, NHPC will invest an estimated Rs 4,000 crore in the proposed project, situated at Chhota Udaipur, Gujarat. NHPC and the Government of Gujarat plan to develop and utilize pumped hydro storage projects as an effective solution for energy storage. The implementation of this project will create significant employment opportunities and boost the local economy.
The MoU was signed at the Secretariat in Gandhinagar, Gujarat under the aegis of “Vibrant Gujarat”, on 3 January 2023. The agreement was signed by the Managing Director, GPCL, Government of Gujarat, Shri Arun Mahesh Babu, and Executive Director, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen, NHPC, Shri V.R. Srivastava. The MoU aims to contribute towards the national objective of clean and green energy, i.e. attainment of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and a “Net Zero” target by 2070.
As of date, the NHPC has a total installed capacity of 7,097.2 MW in renewable energy, encompassing wind and solar sources. This capacity spans across 25 power stations, including subsidiaries contributing an additional 1,520 MW. Currently, NHPC, along with its subsidiaries and Joint Venture companies, is actively engaged in executing 15 projects that will enhance the capacity by 10,449 MW.
In a parallel development, REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of REC Limited, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Gujarat. This agreement, valued at Rs 2,094.28 crores, is aimed at the execution of the Smart Metering project within PGVCL (Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd.) as part of Phase 1 of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
In this strategic partnership, the Government of Gujarat has committed to facilitating RECPDCL in obtaining the necessary permissions and clearances for their forthcoming projects within the state. The MoU delineates a clear and time-bound framework to expedite the establishment of RECPDCL’s projects in Gujarat, thereby furthering the state’s commitment to modernizing its energy infrastructure and enhancing efficiency.
These collaborative efforts between NHPC, RECPDCL, and the Government of Gujarat represent the State’s journey towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy landscape. They align with the national agenda for achieving renewable energy targets and underscore the commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.
Cover Photos: https://www.pib.gov.in
