SJVN signs MoU with Govt of Bihar for 1000 MW Hathidah Durgawati Pumped Storage Project

New Delhi: SJVN Limited has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Bihar to develop the 1000 MW Hathidah Durgawati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) and other PSPs in the state. The agreement has been signed at an official ceremony in Patna in the presence of senior dignitaries, including Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Industries and Tourism Minister Nitish Mishra, and SJVN CMD Raj Kumar Chaudhary.

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The MoU has been formalized by Mukesh Kumar Sharma, General Manager (BDE), SJVN, and Bandana Preyashi (IAS) Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar. The initiative is expected to attract an investment of approximately Rs 10,000 crore and create employment opportunities for around 5,000 people, both directly and indirectly.

SJVN was designated as the nodal agency for developing Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) in Bihar by the Ministry of Power in August 2022. Subsequently, four PSPs—Telharkund (400 MW), Sinafdar (345 MW), Panchgotia (225 MW), and Hathidah Durgawati (1600 MW)—were allotted to SJVN by the state government. Following feasibility studies, the 1000 MW Hathidah Durgawati PSP emerged as the most viable project.

Proposed on the Durgawati River in Kaimur district, the Hathidah Durgawati PSP will have an installed capacity of 1000 MW (4x250 MW). It is expected to generate a daily peak energy of 6.325 Million Units (MU) and an annual peak energy of 2308.65 MU. The project cost is estimated at Rs 5,663 crore, with a levelized tariff of Rs 9.39 per kWh, based on February 2024 price levels.

SJVN is actively expanding its PSP portfolio, with approximately 12,000 MW of projects under development across states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh. These PSPs play a critical role in providing grid stability and supporting India’s transition towards renewable energy.

SJVN CMD highlighted the project’s potential to boost Bihar’s renewable energy capacity and contribute to the state’s economic development. “This collaboration marks a significant step in harnessing clean energy for the region while meeting peak energy demands,” he said.

The Hathidah Durgawati PSP is poised to strengthen Bihar’s renewable energy infrastructure and align with India’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

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