Coal ministry to develop pumped storage projects in de-coaled mines

coal mine

The Ministry of Coal, which always had coal mining as its core business, on November 10 said it will foray into Pumped Storage Projects (PSP). These PSPs will be built on the de-coaled mines of various companies under the Ministry.

In a meeting, chaired by Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, Coal Ministry, to review the ministry's business diversification plans, Coal India Limited (CIL) informed that more than 20 abandoned mines have been identified for evaluation and feasibility study for PSPs. CIL is a wholly-owned company of the Ministry of Coal.

Besides, NLCIL, anther company of the Ministry, has also taken up feasibility study on PSP.

Also read: Exclusive interview with Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, Ministry of Coal.

"Further, direction has been given for stakeholders consultation with agencies who may be interested in undertaking such projects and to identify additional sites that can be used for setting up of pump storage projects. The business model like EPC and PPP may be finalized in consultation with stakeholders and such project may implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, including state governments, private players and research institutions," the ministry said in a statement issued on November 10.

Meena said using de-coaled mines will leverage the economic advantage of vast land banks and will be economically more viable. "The aim of the plan is to diversify towards alternative source of energy. Through pumped storage projects, it is planned to utilize solar energy to develop hydro electricity promoting sustainable development in the coal sector. This initiative aims to harness the solar energy during the day and generation of hydro-electricity at night," he said.

Also read: Exclusive: NTPC plans 14,000 MW pumped hydro storage projects for round-the-clock power.

Pumped storage power plants use gravity to generate electricity using water that has previously been pumped from a reservoir in the pit into an upper reservoir at surface. During periods of low demand, the water is pumped into the higher reservoir. When demand is high, the water is released to drive a turbine in a powerhouse and feed electricity into the grid.

At least 200 de-coaled mines with vast land area are available in coal producing areas. Many of these mines are feasible for PSPs as lower reservoir, head of water and land are available.

Ministry of Coal is also moving toward promoting sustainable development and optimizing resource utilization. "Such initiative will help in promoting sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint of the coal sector. The Ministry is steadfast in ensuring efficient use of resources and maintaining a consistent power supply to the citizens," read the Ministry's statement.