As India rapidly expands its solar and wind energy capacity, hydropower projects in Assam are increasingly being seen as vital to maintaining the stability and reliability of the national power grid. With renewable generation rising to record levels, grid operators are grappling with the challenge of balancing supply and demand due to the intermittent nature of sunlight and wind, a gap that hydroelectric and pumped storage projects are well placed to fill.
Hydropower plants generate electricity by releasing stored water through turbines, while pumped storage projects act as large-scale energy storage systems. These projects use two reservoirs at different elevations, pumping water uphill when surplus power is available and releasing it during peak demand to generate electricity. Although pumped storage projects consume more energy than they ultimately produce, officials say their real value lies in grid balancing, flexibility and rapid response during demand fluctuations.
Senior officials point out that pumped storage offers a dual advantage: absorbing excess electricity during off-peak hours, particularly when solar and wind output is high, and supplying power during peak demand. This capability is becoming increasingly important as renewable energy’s share in India’s power mix continues to grow.
On December 10, 2025, media representatives visited NEEPCO’s 275 MW Kopili Hydroelectric Power Station at Umrangso in Assam to understand the evolving role of hydropower. During the visit, NEEPCO officials highlighted that India currently has about 1,83,524 MW of installed solar and wind capacity, compared with just 50,348 MW of hydropower as of October 2025, a gap they said poses long-term concerns for grid security.
NEEPCO has developed six hydroelectric projects across the North East with a combined capacity of 1,525 MW, accounting for nearly 39 per cent of the region’s installed power capacity. In addition, another 1,126 MW of hydro capacity is under construction in Arunachal Pradesh. According to the company, these projects have not only strengthened the power supply but also driven improvements in connectivity, infrastructure and living standards in surrounding areas.
Officials said the benefits extend beyond electricity generation. The projects have supported the construction of roads, bridges and transmission networks, along with investments in healthcare, education and local markets. They have also created employment during construction and operation, promoted skill development through ITIs and community programmes, and boosted tourism around reservoirs such as Kopili. Activities like fishing have expanded, while events including the Amur Falcon festivals at Doyang and Kopili have drawn international attention.
Looking ahead, NEEPCO is exploring new pumped storage projects in the North East and other regions. Studies are also underway to assess the feasibility of converting existing reservoirs at Kopili and Umrong into pumped storage facilities.
Hydropower and pumped storage have been identified as priority sectors by the Government of India, which has introduced measures such as granting renewable energy status, providing budgetary support for infrastructure, waiving interstate transmission charges and streamlining policy frameworks to speed up project approvals.
Energy experts believe that with careful design, robust safety standards and continuous monitoring, hydropower and pumped storage projects can play a decisive role in ensuring grid stability and energy security, while supporting India’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable power future.
