(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM) Rishikesh, 04 July 2025 – THDC India Limited has achieved a major milestone in India’s hydropower sector with the commencement of the Commercial Operation Declaration (COD) process of the second 250 MW unit of its prestigious 1000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri, Uttarakhand. This breakthrough not only strengthens the country’s renewable energy portfolio but also showcases THDCIL’s technical leadership in advanced hydro technologies.

The Tehri PSP is India’s first Variable Speed Pumped Storage project and the largest of its kind implemented by a Central Public Sector Enterprise. With the first unit commissioned successfully in June 2025, the commencement of operations of the second unit within a month underscores THDCIL’s commitment to timelines, innovation, and national energy goals.

The second unit’s COD process was officially commenced by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, via virtual mode. Also present on the occasion were Akash Tripathy, Additional Secretary; Mohammad Afzal, Joint Secretary; Gurdeep Singh, CMD NTPC; R. K. Vishnoi, CMD THDCIL; Shallinder Singh, Director (Personnel); Bhupender Gupta, Director (Technical); and Sipan Kumar Garg, Director (Finance), among other senior officials from the Ministry of Power and THDCIL.

Pankaj Agarwal congratulated Team THDCIL and its contracting agencies for achieving this feat. He extended best wishes on behalf of the Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal. He praised the project’s contribution to energy security, sustainability, and technological advancement, especially considering the difficult geographical and technical conditions under which the project has been executed.

R. K. Vishnoi, CMD, THDCIL, highlighted that the Tehri PSP, once all four units are commissioned, will transform the Tehri Hydro Power Complex into India’s largest hydropower complex with a combined generation capacity of 2400 MW. He emphasized the project’s importance in providing grid stability, peaking power, and clean energy solutions in line with India’s net-zero commitments.

Gurdeep Singh, CMD NTPC, lauded the achievement and called on the team to maintain the momentum. Other directors and senior officials echoed similar sentiments, celebrating the collective efforts that led to this success.

Key technologies, including variable-speed turbines and digital control systems, have been supplied by GE Vernova. The project consortium includes GE Vernova, HCC, and other stakeholders. THDCIL’s equity is jointly held by NTPC and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.