The Ministry of Power has issued an office memorandum providing clarity on the appraisal of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for hydro projects, including pumped storage projects, that are exempted from the requirement of concurrence by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). This memorandum was issued on August 29, 2025.
The clarification follows the notification dated August 1, 2025, which revised the threshold for estimated capital expenditure requiring CEA concurrence and exempted certain categories of schemes from this requirement.
According to the memorandum, even if a project falls under the exempted category, the CEA may still carry out the appraisal of DPRs if specifically requested by the developer. This applies to projects submitted both before and after the August 1 notification.
The CEA has also been empowered to consult specialized organizations such as the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Geological Survey of India (GSI), and the Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), along with other relevant bodies, to ensure thorough appraisal of such reports.
The clarification aims to streamline procedures while giving developers the flexibility to seek CEA’s technical appraisal, thereby ensuring quality and safety in hydroelectric and pumped storage projects.