Tehri, Uttarakhand | In a landmark development in India’s renewable energy sector, THDC India Limited (THDCIL), one of the nation’s leading public sector power companies, has successfully commenced the Commercial Operation Date (COD) process of the first 250 MW unit of the much-anticipated 1000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri. This first-of-its-kind facility in India marks the beginning of a new chapter in sustainable energy management and grid flexibility.
This historic milestone was virtually inaugurated by Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The Minister praised the THDCIL team and all stakeholders for delivering a technologically advanced, eco-friendly solution that will significantly enhance the resilience of India’s energy infrastructure. The Tehri PSP is now the largest Pumped Storage Project commissioned by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in India and stands as the nation’s first project equipped with variable speed turbine technology.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by key dignitaries from the Indian power sector, including Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power; Shri Akash Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power; Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC; and the senior leadership of THDCIL, including CMD Shri R.K. Vishnoi, Director (Personnel) Shri Shallinder Singh, Director (Technical) Shri Bhupender Gupta, and Director (Finance) Shri Sipan Kumar Garg.
During his address, Shri Manohar Lal underscored the critical role that the Tehri Variable Speed PSP will play in supporting India’s energy independence, especially in the seamless integration of renewable energy into the national grid. He highlighted the precision and adaptability of variable speed technology, describing it as a transformative tool for achieving smarter, more flexible energy operations.
Shri Pankaj Agarwal also hailed the commissioning as a revolutionary step in India’s energy transition. He emphasized that the Tehri PSP will be pivotal in enabling the nation to absorb a higher share of renewable energy while ensuring grid stability. Echoing these sentiments, NTPC CMD Shri Gurdeep Singh commended the exceptional engineering and execution skills demonstrated by Indian PSUs in delivering such a complex hydroelectric system.
CMD of THDCIL, Shri R.K. Vishnoi, highlighted that the Tehri Variable Speed PSP, once fully operational, will raise the total installed capacity of the Tehri Hydro Power Complex to a formidable 2,400 MW, making it the largest hydropower facility in India. He explained that this facility is designed to convert surplus off-peak energy into high-demand peaking power, thereby ensuring 24×7 availability and reinforcing the grid during critical demand periods.
The Tehri PSP project reflects cutting-edge innovation in hydropower, using advanced power electronics and automation systems developed by GE Vernova. This global energy company supplied the variable speed hydro unit technology, enhancing the precision control and operational flexibility of the plant. The implementation consortium, including major partners like Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), has played a critical role in achieving this feat.
The plant’s strategic importance extends beyond engineering excellence. As India accelerates toward its clean energy goals, projects like the Tehri Variable Speed PSP are becoming key enablers in balancing the intermittency of solar and wind energy. This plant sets a precedent for future pumped storage systems that will anchor India’s renewable energy ambitions on a solid, responsive grid.
With its equity shared between NTPC Limited and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, THDCIL continues to reinforce its position as a powerhouse of innovation and execution in India’s hydropower domain. The successful commissioning of this first unit brings the country one step closer to a sustainable, secure, and self-reliant energy future.
Also present during the commissioning were Shri L.P. Joshi, Executive Director of the Tehri Complex, alongside senior officials from THDCIL, GE Vernova, HCC, and other vital industry stakeholders who contributed to this nationally significant achievement.
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