LUCKNOW, Jan. 11 -- The UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved a long-term pumped hydro storage power procurement agreement between the UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) and Adani Hydro Energy Five Limited, marking a major step towards strengthening the state's power system with long-duration energy storage. The approval was granted on Friday through an order on a petition filed by UPPCL seeking adoption of tariff and consent for the power supply agreement executed between the two parties. The commission cleared the procurement of 1,250mw of pumped hydro storage capacity with an eight-hour discharge profile, including up to six hours of continuous discharge, for a period of 40 years. "The tariff was discovered through a competitive bidding process under a request for selection floated by UPPCL, which UPERC found to be transparent and in accordance with prevailing guidelines," a UPPCL official said, adding: "With the approval, UPPCL can now move ahead with the implementation of the agreement and integrate the storage capacity into its long-term power planning. The pumped hydro storage project is proposed to be set up in Sonbhadra district, a key power generation hub of UP that already hosts several thermal and renewable energy projects. Pumped hydro storage works by using surplus electricity during off-peak hours to pump water to an upper reservoir, which is later released to generate power during peak demand....