India starts operation of its 1st variable speed Pumped Storage Project in Uttarakhand

THDC India Ltd (THDCIL) has commenced the Commercial Operation Date (COD) process of the 3rd Unit (250 MW) of the 1,000 MW Tehri Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) in Uttarakhand, making it the largest PSP of its kind by a Central Public Sector Enterprise.

Commencing the COD virtually from New Delhi to mark India’s first Variable Speed PSP, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar described the step as indicative of India’s clean energy transition while emphasizing the critical role of PSPs in ensuring reliable power supply and grid stability, especially with rising renewable energy integration.

The Power Ministry said in a press statement that the Tehri PSP sets a benchmark in variable-speed technology and round-trip efficiency. On 4th June, THDCIL had announced the successful commencement of the COD process of the 1st Unit (250 MW) of the 1,000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP).

The Minister had said that the project will significantly strengthen India’s grid stability and support integration of renewable energy, with variable-speed technology allowing precise management of power flow to make the energy ecosystem smarter and more flexible.

RK Vishnoi, CMD of THDCIL, had stated that once fully operational, the project will elevate the Tehri Hydro Power Complex’s capacity to 2,400 MW, making it India’s largest hydropower complex. This project aims to be instrumental in converting off-peak surplus energy into peaking power to enhance grid resilience and support round-the-clock power availability.

The PSP is designed to provide flexible peaking power and critical grid balancing support to manage intermittent renewable energy. The power electronics and controls, along with the 250 MW variable-speed pumped storage hydropower unit, have been supplied by GE Vernova, a global energy company that produces technologies to harness hydropower.