Let’s Talk Water: A water battery at the cost of a forest, Nirmala Gowda on the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project

Synopsis: Environmental activist and researcher Nirmala Gowda breaks down what the Karnataka government’s Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project is, why the government is pursuing it, and why it poses a serious ecological threat to the Sharavathi Valley.

The Karnataka government’s Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project (PSP), aimed at boosting renewable energy infrastructure, may be pushing India closer to its climate goals — but it risks taking a deep toll on one of the country’s most critical ecosystems: The Western Ghats.

In a detailed conversation with Let’s Talk Water host Nolan Pinto, environmental activist and researcher Nirmala Gowda breaks down what the project is, why the government is pursuing it, and why it poses a serious ecological threat to the Sharavathi Valley.

“Climate change is no longer a future crisis — it’s already here,” Nirmala said. “Transitioning to green energy is not a choice anymore. It’s a necessity.”

As of March 2024, about 43 percent of India’s installed power capacity comes from renewable sources. The country has committed to reaching a target of 50 percent by 2030. That includes solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

However, there’s a challenge: Solar and wind energy are intermittent. Solar works when the sun shines; wind only when the wind blows. That unpredictability creates difficulties in maintaining grid stability and supplying power during peak hours.

This is where pumped storage hydro systems like the Sharavathi PSP come in.

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‘Doesn’t involve toxic chemicals’

“It’s like a battery — but with water,” explained Nirmala. “There are two reservoirs — one high up, one below. During off-peak hours, water is pumped uphill using excess electricity. During peak demand, water is released downhill to generate hydro power.”

This cycle repeats daily, storing and supplying energy based on grid demand. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, pumped storage doesn’t involve toxic chemicals or mining, and it’s cheaper over time.

“The technology is sound. It’s a smart storage solution. The problem is not the concept, it’s the location.” The proposed site for the project is in the Sharavathi Valley, nestled deep within the Western Ghats — a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot,” she said.

A recent site inspection by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF\&CC) categorically did not recommend the project. The report, by DIG Forests Praneetha Paul, listed 15 reasons, including the presence of Lion-Tailed Macaque (LTM) habitat and the felling of over 15,000 trees.

“The LTM is a critically endangered primate found only in these forests,” said Nirmala. “It is an indicator species; its presence tells us the forest is intact. The fact that it’s under threat tells us the ecosystem itself is in danger.”

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Essential but risky

The construction will require new roads, power tunnels, surge shafts, and evacuation lines, leading to the destruction of wet evergreen forests with dense canopy cover. Fragmentation of the forest could leave wildlife populations isolated and vulnerable to extinction.

Despite the ecological risks, the project has received preliminary approval from the State Wildlife Board, chaired by the chief minister.

“The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 mandates detailed scrutiny for any project in or near a protected area. However, here, permissions have been granted with very little scrutiny,” Nirmala said.

The Sharavathi PSP, if built, will serve the power needs of urban India, particularly cities like Bengaluru. “People living in metros have lost their connection to forests,” she said.

Nirmala isn’t against pumped storage. In fact, she sees it as essential for India’s energy future. But she stresses the importance of choosing the right site.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)