India is rapidly expanding pumped storage capacity with projects totalling 100.81 gigawatts envisaged for commissioning by 2035–36, an official factsheet said on Monday, according to IANS. The pipeline spans operational, construction and appraisal stages and will take cumulative pumped storage capacity under construction to nearly 105.56 GW.
The official statement said: "The planned expansion can significantly strengthen grid flexibility and enable greater integration of renewable energy. It also positions pumped storage as an important pillar of India's future electricity system."
As of August 2026, India has 7.43 GW of operational pumped storage capacity across 10 projects, with a further 15.87 GW across 11 projects under construction or implementation, and 10.40 GW across 8 projects concurred or appraised by the Central Electricity Authority. India has identified 320 pumped storage projects with a combined potential of 345.38 GW.
India has crossed 300 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity as of July 2026 (yaani 300,000 megawatts of clean/non-fossil power), adding around 55.29 GW during FY26, and targets 500 GW by 2030, with solar and wind making major contributions.
As renewable capacity expands, storage needs will rise rapidly: the Central Electricity Authority projects 73.93 GW of storage by 2031–32, including 26.69 GW from pumped storage and 47.24 GW from battery energy storage systems.
100.81 GW of pumped storage projects envisaged by 2035–36 • Operational capacity 7.43 GW across 10 projects • 15.87 GW under construction • 320 projects identified, 345.38 GW potential • Non-fossil capacity crossed 300 GW (July 2026) • 500 GW target by 2030 • CEA projects 73.93 GW of storage by 2031–32
Sources: IANS via The Freedom Press, NationPress and HiIndia (19 October 2026).