The International Hydropower Association welcomes Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) as its latest member.

The Government of Gujarat-owned company in India has a robust power portfolio, encompassing 20.7 GW of conventional energy sources and an additional 25 GW of tied-up capacity derived from diverse renewable sources, including 797.6 MW from hydroelectric projects.

It has aligned itself with national objectives and committed to reducing carbon emissions, whilst bolstering energy security. GUVNL is poised to add an additional 3.6 GW of hydropower projects into its energy blend.

The company has recently secured a 250 MW standalone Battery Energy Storage System, marking a pioneering achievement in the field. Scheduled for commissioning within 18 months, this initiative underscores a substantial advancement in energy innovation and cost-effectiveness.

In addition, Gujarat has identified more than 100 potential sites across the state with a combined capacity exceeding 32 GW for Pumped Storage Hydropower projects. This underscores the strong commitment of Gujarat state and GUVNL towards sustainability and ensuring energy security.

Moreover, GUVNL has set an ambitious target to achieve an additional 40 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 to meet rising energy demands and further promote sustainability efforts.  

GUVNL has stated its IHA membership reflects its proactive approach towards advancing hydropower development, sustainability and energy security. It also wants to harness international expertise and collaborate to achieve its strategic objectives effectively and efficiently.

On becoming members, Mr Jai Prakash Shivahare, IAS, Managing Director at GUVNL said: “Sustainable hydropower plays a vital role in our energy landscape, offering a clean and renewable source of power.

“At GUVNL, we recognise the significance of harnessing hydropower in an environmentally responsible manner. By prioritising sustainability in our hydropower initiatives, we intend to contribute to a greener future for generations to come.”

Eddie Rich, CEO of IHA, commented: “We welcome GUVNL as the latest members of IHA. The state of Gujarat has huge growth ambitions drawing on reliable energy with pumped storage at its heart. We are delighted to be able to support GUVNL, as the state utility, in its efforts to rapidly expand its pumped storage capacity in the next decade. We hope that this will shine a path for countries around the world in building, a clean, green, reliable and affordable energy system for the 21st century.”

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