R.Okay. Vishnoi, Chairman and Managing Director, THDC India Restricted (THDCIL), spoke to Renewable Watch in regards to the efficiency of the hydropower phase over the previous one 12 months, in addition to the important thing points and options to handle them. He additionally mentioned his high priorities and plans for the corporate. Excerpts…
What’s your evaluation of the hydropower phase’s efficiency prior to now 12 months or so?
Hydropower continues to be one of the crucial dependable sources of peak energy, owing to its inherent operational flexibility and speedy response capabilities. Hydro tasks additionally present a number of advantages, together with consuming water provide, irrigation, flood management, tourism, fisheries and employment technology. Although there have been common capability additions within the hydro sector through the previous few years, the share of hydropower within the Indian energy sector has been declining because of the comparatively massive capability additions of thermal and different renewable vitality tasks, notably photo voltaic and wind. The Indian authorities has renewed its deal with hydropower, notably storage-based tasks, recognising their essential function in making certain water safety amid altering precipitation patterns. With the approaching up of large-capacity renewable vitality tasks, hydro pumped storage tasks (PSPs) are poised to play an important function within the vitality transition by storing the excess energy from variable renewable vitality tasks and supplying it throughout peak demand or non-solar hours, making certain a secure and versatile energy provide.
The whole exploitable capability identified for giant hydropower tasks within the nation is 133 GW. Of this, roughly 48 GW is presently in operation, and one other 13 GW is below lively development throughout numerous states, whereas 18 GW of hydroelectric tasks (HEPs) are below survey and investigation. Over the previous 12 months, capability addition within the hydro sector has not been very vital – just one GW of hydroelectric capability has been added to the grid, comprising 800 MW from the central sector and 200 MW from the state sector.
There was a development of about 10 per cent in hydropower technology over the previous 12 months, and a major improve is anticipated through the coming years because of the commissioning of varied stalled tasks and coverage interventions by the Ministry of Energy.
As per projections, the full large-hydro capability is anticipated to extend from round 48 GW presently to roughly 67 GW by 2031-32. A complete of 66 PSPs have been recognized throughout the nation, comprising 17 on-river tasks and 49 off-river tasks. Final 12 months, the Central Electrical energy Authority (CEA) accredited the detailed mission reviews (DPRs) of six PSPs totalling roughly 7.5 GW in document time.
With robust coverage assist and funding, India’s hydropower sector is on a revival trajectory and is ready to play a essential function in facilitating vitality safety, local weather resilience and renewable vitality integration.
What are the steps wanted to speed up the phase’s development?
To fast-track the expansion of India’s hydropower sector, the federal government has carried out focused coverage reforms to ease procedural delays and enhance mission viability. Key measures embrace shortened timelines for DPR approvals, streamlined environmental clearances and monetary exemptions equivalent to waivers on transmission costs, electrical energy and water cess. Assist has additionally been prolonged for enabling infrastructure equivalent to devoted transmission traces, ropeways and rail sidings. Undertaking allotments have been made extra versatile, permitting central PSUs to take up tasks via nomination, aggressive bidding and even self-identification.
To additional strengthen the hydropower sector, further coverage and structural interventions are crucial. The uniform adoption of central pointers throughout states is required to make sure regulatory consistency. A strong market mechanism for PSPs should be developed to monetise grid providers equivalent to voltage assist and ramping functionality.
Given the inherently lengthy gestation intervals and excessive capital necessities of hydropower tasks, you will need to streamline your complete clearance course of – technical, administrative, forest, wildlife and environmental – at each the central and state ranges. A unified and time-bound approval framework can be essential in accelerating mission implementation.
To enhance the bankability of hydropower investments, monetary establishments ought to provide long-term, concessional loans in recognition of hydropower’s renewable standing. Such assist, coupled with prolonged reimbursement intervals, will decrease tariffs and enhance mission attractiveness for each builders and energy purchasers.
What have been THDCIL’s key enterprise and development highlights prior to now one 12 months?
Over the previous 12 months, THDCIL has considerably expanded its presence throughout the clear vitality phase by creating a diversified portfolio that features hydroenergy, thermal, pumped storage, photo voltaic (ground-mounted and floating) and wind vitality tasks. In alignment with the Nationwide Inexperienced Hydrogen Mission, the corporate has launched a pilot professionalject and is exploring commercial-scale alternatives. It is usually venturing into electrical car charging infrastructure and advancing carbon seize and utilisation (CCU) initiatives, equivalent to a 20 tonne per day CCU plant on the Khurja tremendous thermal energy mission (STPP).
THDCIL presently manages a portfolio of 4,362 MW, together with 2,758 MW operational and 1,604 MW under-construction tasks. Just lately, THDCIL witnessed the commissioning of two landmark tasks:
Items 1 and a pair of of the Tehri PSP, India’s first variable pace PSP, which achieved business operation in June 2025 and July 2025, respectively, marking a breakthrough in superior hydroelectric flexibility.
Unit 1 of the two×660 MW Khurja STPP was commissioned on January 26, 2025, reinforcing THDCIL’s entry into high-efficiency thermal technology.
These achievements replicate the company’s dedication to innovation, vitality flexibility and management in India’s low-carbon vitality transition.
What’s the focused capability addition by THDCIL within the subsequent two to 3 years?
THDCIL is poised for substantial capacity addition within the coming years. Within the subsequent two to 3 years, THDCIL plans so as to add 1,604 MW to its current portfolio of two,758 MW. In truth, two models of 250 MW every of the Tehri PSP and one unit of 660 MW of the Khurja STPP can be commissioned later this 12 months. With the commissioning of those tasks, THDCIL’s put in capability is projected to achieve 4,362 MW by the tip of 2026-27.
In keeping with the nationwide agenda of fresh vitality transition, THDCIL, via its three way partnership firm TUSCO Restricted, is creating 2,000 MW of extremely mega solar energy parks within the state of Uttar Pradesh. These embrace photo voltaic parks having a capability of 600 MW every in Jhansi and Lalitpur, in addition to 800 MW in Chitrakoot. These parks are additionally focused to be accomplished by 2026-27.
What are a number of the vital tasks presently below execution? How are these progressing?
THDCIL is presently executing some noteworthy tasks throughout the hydropower, pumped storage and photo voltaic domains, aligning with its long-term imaginative and prescient of a sustainable and diversified vitality portfolio.
THDCIL has carried out the primary PSP within the central sector – the Tehri PSP – with an put in capability of 1,000 MW, that includes India’s first variable pace reversible generators. Items 1 and a pair of of the Tehri PSP (250 MW every) have been commissioned this 12 months, whereas the remaining two models (250 MW every) are anticipated to be commissioned by year-end. This pioneering mission marks a serious technological milestone in enhancing grid flexibility and facilitating the large-scale integration of renewable vitality.
THDCIL has additionally diversified into TPPs and is implementing its maiden 1,320 MW Khurja STPP in Khurja, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh. THDCIL has efficiently commissioned Unit 1 (660 MW) of the Khurja STPP, with the commissioning of Unit 2 focused by the tip of this 12 months.
The 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti HEP, positioned in Uttarakhand, is progressing steadily and is scheduled for commissioning by March 2027. Within the north-eastern area, THDCIL is advancing the 1,200 MW Kalai II HEP in Arunachal Pradesh, taken up via an MoU signed in December 2023. This mission is presently within the statutory clearances and land acquisition phases.
Collectively, these tasks underscore THDCIL’s dedication to driving India’s clear vitality transition whereas reinforcing grid reliability and vitality safety via a balanced mixture of hydro, thermal and renewables.
What are THDC’s present plans and future street map for PSPs?
With the profitable commissioning of India’s first variable pace reversible generators on the Tehri PSP, THDCIL is poised to contribute considerably to India’s vitality transition via a strategic and accelerated deal with PSPs. With the CEA figuring out a nationwide PSP potential of over 200 GW, THDCIL is harnessing this chance to develop versatile, clear vitality infrastructure that helps round the clock renewable integration.
THDCIL’s street map contains PSPs with a deliberate capability exceeding 11,000 MW throughout 4 key states, particularly, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These developments are progressing via a mixture of MoUs, joint ventures and authorities allocations, demonstrating THDCIL’s collaborative strategy with state and central companies.
What are your largest priorities for THDC India?
At THDCIL, our core priorities are centred round strategic diversification, technological innovation and nationwide enlargement. We’re dedicated to creating a robust and balanced energy portfolio encompassing hydropower, thermal, wind, photo voltaic, pumped storage and captive coal mining – positioning us as a totally built-in vitality enterprise.
In parallel with our capability enlargement, we’re additionally creating frontier technologies equivalent to inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing and CCU. These pilot initiatives underscore our dedication to staying forward on the forefront of innovation whereas enabling larger grid flexibility and system reliability via superior vitality storage and administration options.
A key inner precedence is the creation of a robust institutional data base. This initiative goals to make sure efficient data retention and its systematic deployment throughout upcoming tasks, particularly as we enter newer domains equivalent to inexperienced fuels and rising vitality storage methods.
These priorities replicate THDCIL’s forward-looking imaginative and prescient and unwavering dedication to India’s clear vitality transition. By embracing cutting-edge applied sciences and sustainability-driven methods, we aspire to strengthen our function as a number one built-in vitality participant and contribute meaningfully to India’s low-carbon and resilient vitality future.
What’s your outlook for the ability sector for the subsequent few years, and what’s THDC’s function in it?
Pushed by speedy urbanisation, industrial development, digitalisation and rising per capita consumption, the ability demand in India is anticipated to develop at a CAGR of 6-7 per cent until 2030. With a dedication to attaining 500 GW of renewable vitality by 2030, India’s energy sector stands on the verge of a transformative period. Hydropower, with its huge untapped potential, is poised to play a pivotal function in enabling the shift to a low-carbon economic system.
Recognising this, the Indian authorities is actively selling the event of each large- and small-hydro-power professionaljects, with almost 20 tasks presently progressing via numerous phases. This drive underscores a nationwide dedication to sustainable vitality aligned with India’s pledge to realize web zero carbon emissions by 2060.
Whereas coal is anticipated to stay a transitional gasoline supply within the close to time period, India is concentrating on a major 74 per cent share of renewable vitality in its energy technology combine by 2040. This transition is important to satisfy the anticipated surge in electrical energy demand by 2029-30, propelled by financial enlargement, cityisation and industrial development. To assist this shift, the federal government has rolled out enabling coverage frameworks aimed toward attracting personal funding, fostering innovation and supporting decentralised clear vitality options.
Amidst this evolving vitality panorama, THDCIL is rising as an essential participant. With a various and rising portfolio projected to achieve an put in capacity of 4,362 MW by 2026-27, comprising main hydropower mission and PSPs, THDCIL is strategically positioned on the forefront of India’s clear vitality mission.
Along with the 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti HEP below implementation in Uttarakhand, THDCIL is creating hydro tasks on the Lohit basin in Arunachal Pradesh, alongside PSPs throughout 4 states and over 4,000 MW of hydro tasks in numerous different states. These initiatives not solely assist grid stability and renewable integration but additionally reinforce THDCIL’s function in driving a resilient and versatile vitality infrastructure.
By means of this focused enlargement, THDCIL is making certain that hydropower stays a cornerstone of India’s web zero technique, contributing meaningfully to the creation of a dependable, sustainable and carbon-neutral vitality future.
