CEA Proposes Easing Green Norms for Hydro PSPs

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in India has suggested making rules for hydro pumped-storage projects (PSPs) less strict.

These projects store energy using water and are important for balancing the power grid, especially with more solar and wind energy.

The CEA wants to allow these projects in areas that are currently off-limits, like eco-sensitive zones and near protected areas.

They also want to make it easier to get the necessary permissions and use degraded forest land for compensatory afforestation.

This is because PSPs are seen as less harmful to the environment and people compared to traditional hydro projects.

However, there are concerns from local communities and activists about the potential risks to forests and wildlife.

The goal is to increase India's PSP capacity significantly by 2035-36 to support the growing use of renewable energy.