JSW Energy, which inked two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to set up two green projects worth Rs 35,500 crore to generate 6,500 MW of clean energy in Northern and Western Maharashtra, is in discussion for similar kind of projects in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. JSW Energy intends to use pumped storage hydropower (PSH) technology, which is more cost effective than the traditional way of setting up power projects. The Maharashtra project is only the fourth PSH project in the country.
While the MoU with the Maharashtra Government was signed, JSW Energy signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Rajasthan Government for one GW PSH plant recently. The company has got water allocation for both the projects. The company has applied for environmental and forest clearances and the techno-economic feasibility report is already under preparation. The project is expecting CEA clearance. The company is expecting the first project to see the commencement of construction sometime towards the end of FY23 or early FY24.
JSW Energy presently has thermal power plants at Vijayanagar, Ratnagiri and Barmer and a hydropower plant in Himachal Pradesh. By FY25 the company’s total renewable energy capacity is expected to increase from the current 30 per cent to 70 per cent, add reports.