THDC commissions 250 MW 1st unit Variable Speed PSP

Tehri PSP is the largest Pumped Storage Plant by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the first Variable Speed PSP in the country.

THDC India Limited (THDCIL) announced the successful commencement of 1st Unit (250 MW) of the 1000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri, Uttarakhand. This landmark achievement marks a historic milestone in India’s renewable energy journey, establishing the Tehri PSP as the largest Pumped Storage Plant by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the first Variable Speed PSP in the country.

The momentous event was graced by Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power, who officially inaugurated the operation of the 1st Unit via virtual mode. Eminent dignitaries of the Power Sector including Pankaj Agarwal (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India; Akash Tripathi (IAS), Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India; Gurdeep Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, NTPC; R.K. Vishnoi, Chairman & Managing Director, THDCIL; Shallinder Singh, Director (Personnel), THDCIL; Bhupender Gupta, Director (Technical), THDCIL; and Sipan Kumar Garg, Director (Finance), THDCIL were also present during the occasion.

Manohar Lal while addressing the gathering stated that the successful operation of 1st unit of India’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri is not just a technological achievement by THDCIL, but a bold stride towards India’s energy self-reliance. The project will significantly strengthen our grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy. Variable speed technology allows us to manage power flow with precision, making our energy ecosystem smarter and more flexible.

He congratulated the entire THDCIL team, implementing partners, and every individual who contributed directly or indirectly to this historic success.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, lauded the commissioning milestone, stating that the Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri is a path-breaking development that significantly strengthens our Grid flexibility. It plays a pivotal role in our mission to integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy and transition towards a cleaner, more reliable energy ecosystem.”

Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC, extended his congratulations, saying that this milestone reflects the high-end engineering capabilities of Indian PSUs in the hydropower sector. It sets a powerful precedent for future PSP developments across the nation.

R.K. Vishnoi, CMD, THDCIL, conveyed his heartfelt congratulations on this significant achievement and stated that once fully operational, this Project will elevate the Tehri HydroPower Complex’s capacity to 2,400 MW, making it India’s largest Hydropower Complex. This project will be instrumental in converting off-peak surplus energy into peaking power, enhancing grid resilience and supporting round-the-clock power availability.

Designed to provide flexible peaking power and critical grid balancing support, the Tehri Variable Speed PSP represents a significant leap forward in India’s ability to manage intermittent renewable energy. This commissioning milestone reaffirms THDCIL’s leadership in State-of-the-Art Hydropower solutions and bolsters India’s clean energy credentials on the global stage. The power electronics and controls, along with the 250 MW variable-speed pumped storage hydropower unit, have been supplied by GE Vernova. GE Vernova is a global energy company that produces advanced technologies to harness hydropower and deliver reliable energy solutions. The equity of THDC India Limited is shared between NTPC Limited and the UP government.