Ambalavayal: The pumped storage power project proposed at the Karapuzha Dam has stalled after initial studies, with the absence of follow up action threatening to consign it to official records. The project envisaged generating 30 MW of electricity by utilising the water stored in the dam under the Irrigation Department.

Although the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) Investigation Wing from Kozhikode conducted a preliminary inspection, the initiative failed to progress further. The plan involved implementing a pumped storage system using water from the reservoir. However, the project did not move beyond the stage of assessing its potential.The Karapuzha project was one among nine sites across the State identified for launching pumped storage projects.

The technical plan proposed pumping water from the reservoir into nearby quarry ponds at Manjappara during the daytime and releasing it back into the reservoir at night to generate electricity. The energy required for daytime pumping was to be sourced from floating solar panels installed on the dam’s water surface, enabling electricity to be generated domestically at low cost during high demand night hours. Estimates suggested that 52.50 lakh units of electricity could be generated during peak periods, creating considerable optimism over the project.

Procedural hurdles were minimal too, as the project required only the consent of the Irrigation Department, which owns of the dam, and the Revenue Department, for the quarry sites. While conducting a feasibility study, KSEB had been counting on completing the project within 36 months once land acquisition and the detailed project report were finalised. However, the project now appears to have been abandoned.

With an estimated cost of ₹180 crore, the initiative also envisaged tapping water bodies in other districts as well as plans were in place to replicate similar units elsewhere if the Karapuzha project proved successful. At present, water from the Banasurasagar Dam is being diverted to Kakkayam for power generation.

Ten centres statewide; Karapuzha leads the list
Pumped storage projects involve recycling water already used for power generation by pumping it back into storage for reuse. Initial steps were taken to establish units at Manjappara, part of the Karapuzha reservoir, and at Muthirappuzha, which forms part of the Ponmudi reservoir in Idukki.

Recommendations were also made to expand the project to eight other locations following a successful pilot at Manjappara. The project was proposed to be funded through KSEB’s own fund and market borrowings, with implementation to be overseen by the Energy Management Centre cell.