India’s First Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant Begins Operations in Tehri

THDC India Limited (THDCIL), announced the successful commencement of COD process of the 1st Unit (250 MW) of the 1000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri, Uttarakhand.

• This landmark achievement marks a historic milestone in India’s renewable energy journey, establishing the Tehri PSP as the largest Pumped Storage Plant by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the first Variable Speed PSP in the country.
• This Project will elevate the Tehri Hydro Power Complex’s capacity to 2,400 MW, making it India’s largest Hydropower Complex.
• This project will be instrumental in converting off-peak surplus energy into peaking power, enhancing grid resilience and supporting round-the-clock power availability.

About Pumped storage hydropower

• Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is a type of hydroelectric energy storage.
• It is a configuration of two water reservoirs at different elevations that can generate power as water moves down from one to the other (discharge), passing through a turbine.
• The system also requires power as it pumps water back into the upper reservoir (recharge). PSH acts similarly to a giant battery, because it can store power and then release it when needed.