Sharavati Pumped Storage Project: Electricity is one of the most basic amenities needed for our day today. Electricity distribution is also a very big challenge. The right kind of electricity storage system is also the need of the hour. In this regard, the pumped storage project or PSP is important. Sharavati PSP, which is currently at the center of the controversy, is one such project. Notably, this is the first PSP for Karnataka. Since the intention is to undertake this project in the sensitive environment of Malnad, different kinds of concerns and opposition have been expressed. But, will this project be a problem? Here are some key details to know.
What is Sharavati Pumped Storage Project?
Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project is being implemented at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore on the border of Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts. There is a Talakalale dam across the Sharavathi river. It has a water storage capacity of 0.51 TMC. Similarly, there is a Gerusoppa reservoir in Honnavar taluk. Using the excess electricity generated here, 0.51 TMC of water is pumped to the Talakalale dam located in the highlands. When the power generation in Gerusoppa decreases, water from the Talakalale dam is pumped to the Gerusoppa reservoir. In this process, 2,000 MW of electricity is generated. It is worth noting that 2,500 MW of electricity is required to pump water from Gerusoppa to Talakalale. When it is pumped back, 2,000 MW of electricity is generated. It is noteworthy that an electricity storage system is being built here.
Will Sharavati PSP harm the environment?
Pipes will be built to flow water between these two reservoirs. These pipes will be installed through a tunnel. There is a fear that the sensitive environment of the hills will be damaged in this, but there is no evidence to support that argument. The number of trees that will be fell in this project may be around 7,000. The forest department will take steps to increase the number of saplings here over time.
About Sharavati PSP
The argument that using explosives to dig tunnels will harm the sensitive environment of the forest and wildlife is also unfounded. Controlled blasting is being done at Sharavati PSP. The fact is that there is no possibility of landslides since hard rock is used for tunnel construction.
Four decades ago, trees were cut down when the Varahi power project was built here in Bhutala. Till now, no incident of landslide has come to light in this area. The environment here is back to normal. Similarly, the construction of a tunnel to carry water for the current Sharavati project will not require much forest land or private land.
Lion-tailed macaque in trouble?
There are a rare species of lion-tailed macaque in the area between Gerusoppa and Talakalale. There are only a handful of lion-tailed macaques in the world. It is special that Malnad is the habitat of a large number of lion-tailed macaques. Some people are arguing that the Sharavati Pumped Storage Project will leave these lion-tailed macaques without a shelter. However, according to officials, there is no need to fear this. In the past, precautionary measures were taken during the construction of the national highway here so that the lion-tailed macaques would not be disturbed. Arrangements were made to build a flyover, etc. to facilitate the movement of the lion-tailed macaques. The lion-tailed macaques were disturbed only until the project was completed. Now, their life is going on as usual. The state government has instructed the authorities to take the same precautions in the Sharavati PSP as well.
Central government’s electricity target
To achieve power balance, the power storage system should be good. In this regard, pumped storage projects are very necessary. Various governments around the world give priority to PSP. The Central government has also set a target of building 82,000 MW PSP by 2032-34. In this regard, the target of specific PSPs has been transferred to various states, including Karnataka. This includes the Sharavati PSP in Karnataka.