India seeks to hasten hydropower approvals to reach green goals

India will outsource geological investigations to speed up the approval of hydroelectric projects, including those meant for energy storage, a key part of the country’s energy transition pathway.

The Central Electricity Authority, which approves the construction of large dams, is seeking to hire external experts to speed up project design and help achieve the energy transition “earlier than targeted”, according to a note on the agency’s website. Geological studies are currently carried out by various government agencies.