India’s Tehri hydropower complex has reached a new milestone with the commercial launch of the third 250MW unit at the 1,000MW Tehri variable speed pumped storage plant (PSP). Power Minister Manohar Lal formally initiated the commercial operation of the unit during a virtual event from New Delhi. With this step, Tehri becomes the largest variable-speed PSP developed by a central public sector enterprise and remains the country’s flagship installation for advanced hydropower technology.
Lal described the commissioning as an important development for India’s clean-energy transition, highlighting the role of variable-speed machines in providing higher operational flexibility as renewable penetration increases. He said the project contributes directly to national goals for system stability and long-term energy planning.
Minister of State for Power Shripad Y. Naik noted THDC India Limited’s leadership in the sector and its growing portfolio of storage-oriented hydropower projects. Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal also acknowledged the company’s progress in bringing major assets online this year. Senior officials from the Central Electricity Authority, NTPC and THDCIL participated in the event.
The Tehri PSP incorporates variable-speed units designed to offer improved round-trip efficiency and enhanced grid-support capabilities. The commissioning of the third unit moves the project closer to full 1,000MW operation and reinforces India’s position as an early adopter of variable-speed pumped storage technology.
