By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
UJVN Ltd has approved the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed 600-MW Ichhari Pumped Storage Project on river Tons, marking a step towards developing energy storage capacity in the state.
The decision was taken at the company’s 136th board meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan at the Secretariat on Monday. The board also approved proposals related to the electromechanical and hydromechanical works of the 300-MW Lakhwar multipurpose project.
UJVN Managing Director Ajay Kumar Singh said the Ichhari project is expected to generate around 1,246 million units of electricity annually during peak-demand hours. It is intended to help meet the state’s power requirements when demand is high and reduce dependence on electricity procured from other states and agencies.
The project’s actual economic benefits will depend on factors such as power availability, operating costs and prevailing electricity prices.
Pumped storage technology stores energy by pumping water to an upper reservoir when electricity is available in excess or demand is low. When demand rises, the stored water is released through turbines to generate electricity.
The system can help balance fluctuations in power supply and demand and improve grid stability.
Singh said the project would help strengthen Uttarakhand’s energy security and improve the availability of electricity during peak-demand periods.
The board also approved a proposal concerning the electromechanical works of the 300-MW Lakhwar multipurpose project. A separate proposal to prepare tenders for various hydromechanical works was also cleared, paving the way for further work on the project.
Other decisions included approval of an ex-gratia compensation proposal for employees not covered under the pension scheme, appointment of the statutory auditor for the financial year 2026-27, and the cost audit report for 2025-26.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (Energy) R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, independent directors Indu Kumar Pandey and Parag Gupta, UJVNL Director (Operations) G.S. Budiyal, executive directors Sudhakar Badoni and Ashish Kumar Jain, and other senior officials.