
SJVN (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Bihar for the development of the 1000 MW Hathidah Durgawati Pumped Storage Project (PSP) along with other PSPs in the state.
The MoU was signed in Patna, in the presence of key officials including Sh. Vijay Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sh. Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Minister of Energy and Planning & Development, Sh. Nitish Mishra, Minister of Industries and Tourism, and Sh. Raj Kumar Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SJVN.
The MoU was officially signed by Sh. Mukesh Kumar Sharma, General Manager, BDE, SJVN, and Smt. Bandana Preyashi, IAS (Secretary), Department of Industries, Govt. of Bihar. This collaboration is set to generate significant employment opportunities, with the development of these PSPs expected to create both direct and indirect employment for around 5,000 individuals. Additionally, the project will involve an investment of approximately ₹10,000 crore.
In August 2022, the Ministry of Power, Government of India, designated SJVN as the nodal agency for the development of Pumped Storage Projects in Bihar. Subsequently, four PSPs were allotted to SJVN by the Secretary (Energy), Government of Bihar, on August 22, 2022. These include Telharkund PSP (400 MW), Sinafdar PSP (345 MW), Panchgotia PSP (225 MW), and Hathidah Durgawati PSP (1600 MW). Following a series of ranking studies, SJVN identified the Hathidah Durgawati PSP as the most viable project and prepared a Feasibility Study Report (FSR) for the same, which proposes a capacity of 1000 MW.
Located on the Durgawati River in Kaimur district, Bihar, the Hathidah Durgawati PSP will have an installed capacity of 1000 MW (4×250 MW). The project is expected to generate a daily peak energy output of 6.325 million units (MU) and an annual peak energy of 2,308.65 MU. The estimated project cost is ₹5,663 crore, with a levelized tariff of ₹9.39 per kWh (assuming a pumping energy rate of ₹3 per kWh) based on February 2024 price levels.
SJVN is currently engaged in the development of approximately 12,000 MW of PSPs across various states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Mizoram, and Himachal Pradesh. The Hathidah Durgawati PSP is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing energy demands of Bihar while contributing significantly to the state’s renewable energy initiatives.