Megha Engineering Wins Bid for India’s Largest Pumped Storage Project
Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (MEIL) has secured a contract to construct the 2,000-megawatt Sharavathi pumped storage project in Karnataka. The project, valued at over Rs 8,000 crore, is touted as India’s most enormous pump storage power generation unit.
Key Points:
- Project Goal: The Sharavathi project aims to address power shortages in Karnataka by providing a large-scale energy storage solution.
- Pumped Storage Technology: Pumped storage hydroelectric plants store energy by pumping water to a higher reservoir during off-peak hours and releasing it through turbines to generate electricity during peak demand.
- Project Significance: With a massive capacity of 2,000 MW, the Sharavathi project will significantly bolster Karnataka’s power grid stability and ensure a more reliable power supply.
- Competitive Bidding Process: MEIL secured the contract through a competitive bidding process, defeating industry giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T). L&T reportedly challenged the bidding process in the Supreme Court but was unsuccessful.
Additional Information to Explore:
- Include a map highlighting the location of the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.
- Briefly explain pumped storage technology’s technical aspects and advantages for renewable energy integration.
- Research MEIL’s past experience in handling large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Investigate the timeline for project completion and its potential impact on the state’s power infrastructure.