Western Coalfields (WCL) has signed a research and development (R&D) agreement for an innovative pumped storage hydropower project aimed at supporting renewable energy generation and sustainable mine redevelopment.
The agreement, signed on 07 July 2026, was executed in the presence of WCL Director (Technical) (Planning & Projects) S S Paranjpe. The project is planned at the Shivpuri Open Cast Mine in the Pench Area, where existing mining infrastructure will be repurposed for clean energy development.
Under the initiative, an abandoned mine sump will be converted into a lower water reservoir, while a mine dump will be developed as an upper reservoir. This system will enable pumped storage hydropower generation, helping store energy and provide grid support during periods of high electricity demand.
The project reflects a new approach toward responsible mine closure by combining environmental restoration with renewable energy solutions. It supports India’s clean energy goals while exploring practical ways to reuse former mining sites.
If successful, the initiative could become a model for sustainable mine reclamation across the coal sector, demonstrating how traditional energy assets can be transformed into future-ready green infrastructure.
