The existing power line in Sharavati valley needs to be upgraded for the pumped storage project, which is expected to generate 2,000 MW.
| Photo Credit: Sathish G.T.
Amidst severe opposition from environmentalists and local residents, the government of Karnataka has ordered preparation of a power evacuation scheme for the proposed 2,000-Megawatt (MW) Sharavati Pumped Storage project in Sharavati valley.
The order was passed in March following a meeting of the State Empowered Committee on Transmission in February. Under an evacuation scheme, infrastructure facilities will be set up to collect and immediately transmit the power generated from the power plant to a load centre through the grid or a transmission system, including transmission lines and substations.
Officials of the Energy Department said that the infrastructure will be set up according to the feasibility in the area.
“We need evacuation schemes for any major generation station. For this project, we will only set up what is practically feasible in that region. We will follow the guidelines issued by the Forest Department and the Wildlife Board, and plan for power evacuation,” Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, told The Hindu.
The evacuation schemes of the pumped storage project as well as the 2,000 MW solar park at Ryapte village in Tumakuru district, will be developed under the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) basis. Private investors will bid for the particular tariff as decided by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). The REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, a PSU under the Government of India, will be the bid process coordinator for the project.
Mr. Gupta stressed that the whole project will be handheld by the Government of India and the process will be conducted in a transparent manner. The evacuation scheme is expected to be completed in around six months.
The pumped storage plant of the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPCL) has been facing widespread opposition ever since its inception, as environmentalists fear that it will have an adverse impact on the ecosystem and wildlife in the Western Ghats. While the corporation had initially proposed the uprooting of 16,000 trees for the project, the State Wildlife Board gave its nod for the uprooting of up to 8,000 trees.
“According to the Wildlife Act 1972, any development in the forest area should be pro-flora and fauna, but neither power generation nor transmission works that way. Moreover, the Central Wildlife Board is yet to give its nod for the project. So, how are they proceeding with the project?” said Akhilesh Chipli, an environmentalist who is opposing the project.
Published – April 02, 2025 04:53 pm IST
