THDC India Limited, a pioneering power generation entity, has reached another major milestone with the successful commencement of the COD process of the 03rd Unit (250 MW) of the 1000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri, Uttarakhand.
This major accomplishment marks a significant advancement in India’s clean energy landscape, establishing the Tehri PSP as the country’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant and the largest PSP of its kind being implemented by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). With the first and second units already achieving COD in June and July 2025, the commencement of the third unit’s COD process further enhances THDCIL’s leadership in delivering technologically advanced and grid-responsive hydropower solutions.
The momentous occasion was graced by Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, who officially commenced the operation of the 3rd Unit via virtual mode. The event was also attended by Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, and A.K. Sharma, Minister of Urban Development and Energy, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who were warmly welcomed by Sipan Kumar Garg, CMD, THDCIL. Eminent dignitaries from the power sector, including Pankaj Agarwal (IAS), Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India; Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA; Narendra Bhooshan (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Energy and Additional Sources of Energy, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Piyush Singh (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India; Gurdeep Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, NTPC; and Mohammad Afzal, Joint Secretary (Hydro), Ministry of Power, Government of India, were also present on the occasion.
Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, while addressing the gathering, congratulated the THDCIL team on the successful commencement of COD of the third unit of Tehri PSP. Minister highlighted that with power consumption rising steadily, storage assets like PSPs are indispensable for ensuring round-the-clock reliability. The 1000 MW Tehri PSP, now progressively becoming fully operational with all three units commissioned, exemplifies India’s commitment to a resilient and reliable power infrastructure and contributing to realize the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047
Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, noted that THDCIL is emerging as a leading public-sector organisation in the development of Pumped Storage solutions. With two units of the Tehri PSP already in commercial operation and the third unit commissioned today, the corporation is firmly on course to fully operationalise the 1000 MW project. He also highlighted that several additional PSP ventures are in the pipeline, positioning THDCIL as a key driver of storage infrastructure for the country’s future grid.
A. K. Sharma, Minister of Urban Development and Energy, Government of Uttar Pradesh, commends THDCIL for this notable achievement and underscored the technological significance of this project, noting that advanced pumped-storage systems are indispensable for integrating large-scale renewable energy into the grid. In the context of the Prime Minister’s vision of achieving 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, the Tehri PSP stands out as a critical asset that provides the balancing capability required for a high RE future
Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, commended Team THDCIL for a remarkable year, highlighted by the commissioning of both units of the 1320 MW Khurja project and the successful commercial operation of the three unit of the Tehri PSP. He extended his congratulations to the entire THDCIL team for delivering these critical national assets and underscored the importance of sustaining this momentum in the projects ahead.
Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA congratulated the CMD and the entire THDCIL team, noting that the successful integration of this pumped storage project into the national grid is a proud milestone for the power sector. As one of the earliest variable-speed PSPs executed by a PSU, it stands as a landmark achievement accomplished despite substantial technical and implementation challenges. He underlined the need to document and share the learnings from this experience so that the wider sector can draw on these insights.
Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC, while congratulating the THDCIL team, highlighted that this achievement marks a significant moment for the power sector. At a time when the nation is grappling with the growing need for reliable energy-storage solutions, this development strengthens our ability to supply assured power during peak demand. It represents a decisive step toward a more flexible, resilient and future-ready grid.
Sipan Kumar Garg, CMD, THDCIL, expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister of Power, Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, for his guidance and encouragement. He also thanked the Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shripad Naik, and the Minister of Urban Development and Energy, Government of Uttar Pradesh, A. K. Sharma, for their continued support. He further acknowledged the support of Ministry of Power, CEA and NTPC for their continous guidance and apprecation.
Acknowledging partner organizations, and all THDCIL team members, he stated that their dedicated work has made the commissioning of the third unit of Tehri PSP possible, providing an additional 750 MW generation and 750 MW pumping capacity to strengthen India’s energy security. The first two commissioned units have achieved a round-trip efficiency of approx. 80%, reflecting strong performance of the variable-speed technology and the robustness of the Tehri PSP design.
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.
Also present at the occasion were L.P. Joshi, CTO, THDCIL, Kumar Sharad, ED (Projects), THDCIL, Neeraj Verma, Executive Director (I/C NCR), M. K. Singh, CGM (TC), Dr. A. N. Tripathy, CGM (HR-Admin, CC) along with senior officials from THDCIL and representatives from the project consortium comprising GE Vernova, HCC, and other key stakeholders from the power sector. The equity of THDC India limited is shared between NTPC and Govt. of UP.
