The primary reason for delays to the Greenko Pinnapuram project around 2021 was an ongoing land dispute between the Forest and Revenue departments over a 45-hectare portion of the required site.

 The primary reason for delays to the Greenko Pinnapuram project around 2021 was an ongoing land dispute between the Forest and Revenue departments over a 45-hectare portion of the required site. 

Details of the Delay

Land Dispute: A specific 45-hectare parcel of land, critical for the project, was subject to a long-standing ownership dispute between the state's Revenue and Forest departments. This made it difficult for Greenko to proceed with construction activities in that particular area.

Approvals and Clearances: In 2021, the company was still in advanced stages of obtaining necessary approvals from authorities like the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and had only received permission for excavation activities at that time.

Project Timeline: While the project officially launched (foundation stone laid) in May 2022, construction on some components like the powerhouse started in 2021. The original integrated project involving the pumped storage component had a goal to be completed within 3.5 years from the initial clearance stages, which implied significant work was expected around 2021-2022.

Other Factors: The overall development of large-scale pumped storage projects often faces generic challenges related to regulatory clarity, market readiness, and institutional capacity, which can contribute to delays in the sector. 

Recent reports from January 2025 indicate that the state government is actively working to resolve the land dispute to allow the project to move forward without further issues. The project is now expected to be fully operational by 2026.