The Telangana government’s grand announcements at the recently concluded Global Summit have triggered widespread criticism, with experts alleging that the “new” pumped-storage energy agreements are simply old projects repackaged for public display. The Congress government projected massive investments and job creation through MoUs signed with Telangana GENCO and TGREDCO, but information available on the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) website tells a different story.

The proverb “old wine in a new bottle” fits the situation perfectly. While the state claimed to have sealed fresh large-scale pumped-storage deals, the CEA had already issued Terms of Reference (TORs) for all five highlighted projects between 2020 and 2023. The companies named in the summit—Greenko Energy, Shree Siddharth Infratech, Greenko TS01, Asta Green Energy and Cerulean Energy—were recognised years ago as project developers. None of these firms have yet submitted detailed proposals to the CEA.

As per the CEA’s updated data (as of October 31, 2025), Telangana has a total pumped-storage potential of 7150 MW across five projects. The project names, capacities, developers and TOR dates listed on the CEA website match exactly with those promoted by the state as new MoUs at the summit. Experts point out that the government has essentially lifted the same list, adjusted a few project capacities and even renamed Greenko TS01 as Greenko TG01—reflecting political branding more than genuine change.

During the Global Summit, the state showcased agreements with nine companies under GENCO and twelve under TGREDCO. But the five pumped-storage deals highlighted were already listed long ago, leading to criticism that the government is presenting old projects as new to create the illusion of huge new investments.

Political analysts and electricity-sector experts argue that this approach raises transparency concerns. They say the government should have consulted senior officials and verified project details before making high-profile announcements. Opposition leaders have already been attacking the MoUs, and these revelations have further intensified the debate.

Professionals in the energy sector also express concern that previously identified and internally approved projects are now being presented as fresh international agreements. Critics argue that this misleads the public and exposes gaps in internal review processes.

The episode has led to widespread dissatisfaction, with experts emphasising that thorough scrutiny would have prevented old projects from being presented as new summit achievements. The controversy now raises serious questions about the government’s handling of investment announcements in the power sector.

‘Global Summit real estate expo’

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA and former Minister T. Harish Rao on Wednesday (December 10, 2025) slammed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that the Telangana Rising Global Summit-2025 was reduced to a ‘publicity stunt’ marked by exaggerated investment claims and questionable agreements. He demanded that the Chief Minister release a white paper on all his foreign visits, MoUs and claimed investments over the past two years.

Harish Rao described the Telangana Rising Vision-2047 document as visionless, lacking both direction and commitment. In a statement, Mr. Rao charged the State government with ‘fabricating investment stories’ and ‘spending crores’ on an event that yielded no tangible benefit for the State.

He alleged that the Global Summit at Bharat Future City resembled a real estate promotion rather than an economic forum. “This was not a global summit. It was a real estate expo to promote land,” he claimed.

Questioning the outcome of the government’s investment-focused engagements in Davos and other foreign countries, he asked, “Where are the investments? Where are the jobs? How many companies have grounded their projects? How many Telangana youth have secured employment?”

He cited the Government’s claims from various events — including the 2024 Davos meetings, the AI Global Summit-2024 and the 2025 World Economic Forum — alleging that none of the announced investments materialised.

The former Minister said the event was projected as a high-profile gathering with participation of 18 Chief Ministers and 5,000 foreign representatives, but the actual turnout was negligible. Mr. Rao targeted the Chief Minister over the remarks made by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao during the summit, stating that their remarks highlighted the development achieved under the BRS government.