GE Vernova has announced the full completion of the Tehri Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s power sector and significantly enhancing its energy storage and grid balancing capabilities.
Delivered for THDC India Limited, the project comprises four 250MW variable speed pumped storage units, contributing a total of 1GW of renewable energy and storage capacity to the national grid. With the new units now operational, the Tehri Hydropower Complex has reached a total installed capacity of 2.4GW, making it currently the largest hydropower complex in India.
The scheme is also the first in the country to deploy variable speed pumped storage technology, a development expected to improve operational flexibility, strengthen grid stability and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources.
Frédéric Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s Hydro Power business, described the project as both a technical and human achievement.
“There is always something special about seeing these gigantic projects come to life – projects that have been engineered, planned, and worked on by so many people over so many years,” he said on Linkedin.
Ribieras added that the completion reflects “the dedication, expertise, and perseverance” of the teams involved in delivering the four units, highlighting the scale and complexity of the undertaking.
He emphasised the broader importance of the project for India’s energy transition, noting that while Tehri is significant for GE Vernova’s business, its national impact is even greater.
“As India continues to expand its renewable energy mix, the need for flexible, reliable, and responsive power infrastructure becomes even more critical. Tehri will help strengthen grid stability, support peak power management, and enable greater integration of renewable energy,” he said.
Pumped storage hydropower is increasingly recognised as a key enabler of low-carbon energy systems, offering large-scale storage and rapid response capabilities. The addition of variable speed technology further enhances performance by allowing more precise control of power output and efficiency.
Ribieras concluded by praising the teams behind the project and the collaborative effort required to bring it to fruition.
“I’m proud of what our team has accomplished and proud to see such a magnificent project come to life. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this landmark achievement to completion.”
The completion of the Tehri pumped storage project underscores the growing role of advanced hydropower in supporting India’s transition to a more flexible, resilient and renewable-led power system.
