Tripura will host Northeast’s first 800 MW Pumped Storage Project by NHPC in Dhalai district, aiming to boost power capacity and renewable energy. Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath also opposed a proposed gas price hike for OTPC Palatana, protecting regional consumers from financial burden.
In a major step towards strengthening the power infrastructure in the northeastern region, Tripura is set to become home to the Northeast’s first Pumped Storage Project (PSP) with a power generation capacity of 800 MW. This significant development was announced by Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath following his participation in the 29th North Eastern Region Power Committee (NERPC) meeting held in Guwahati on Friday.
The 800 MW project will be developed by the National Hydro Power Corporation of India (NHPC), a central public sector undertaking under the Union Ministry of Power. The pumped storage power plant will be established in Tripura’s Dhalai district, marking a first-of-its-kind project in the entire northeastern region. According to the Power Minister, the project aligns with the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Power and is aimed at addressing the growing electricity demands of the region.
Pumped Storage to Boost Power Security in the Region
Pumped Storage Projects are a proven method of energy storage that utilize surplus power during off-peak hours to pump water to a higher elevation reservoir. This stored water can then be released to generate electricity during peak demand periods. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance power reliability and support the state and region’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
Minister Nath emphasized that this strategic initiative would not only meet Tripura’s future energy needs but also contribute substantially to the broader goal of energy security across the Northeast. The proposed site in Dhalai district has been identified as suitable due to its geographical and hydrological advantages.
Opposition to Gas Price Hike Protects Consumers
In addition to the PSP announcement, the Power Minister addressed a recent proposal that was raised during the NERPC’s Technical Committee meeting a day earlier. The proposal sought to increase the gas price for the OTPC Palatana power project, located in southern Tripura. This power plant supplies electricity to multiple northeastern states.
“If implemented, this would have imposed a huge financial burden on consumers not only in Tripura but across the entire northeastern region,” said Nath. He strongly opposed the proposal during Friday’s main meeting, terming it as “unreasonable” and “against the public interest.” His firm opposition led to the rejection of the proposal by the committee.
“Due to my strong stance, the North Eastern Power Committee was compelled to reject the proposal, relieving not only Tripura but all northeastern states from a huge financial burden,” he stated.
Commitment to Green Energy and National Hydrogen Mission
Highlighting India’s progress in clean and renewable energy, Minister Nath reiterated the Union Government’s commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” He stressed the need for collective efforts to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
Speaking about India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Nath said, “The Prime Minister has highlighted the importance of green hydrogen, which will position India as a global hub for hydrogen production and export.” He added that Tripura is also moving ahead with clean energy efforts in full swing.
“So far, around 45,000 solar street lights, 4,900 solar pumps, 215 solar micro-grids, 3 MW of solar rooftops, and 2 MW of off-grid solar power have been installed in Tripura, generating a total of 26 MW of solar power,” he reported.
To further augment renewable energy capacity, the Tripura government is exploring the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with solar and other renewable energy sources. This integration would help ensure uninterrupted power supply during peak hours and reduce dependency on conventional sources.
Power Reforms and Regional Development
Minister Nath concluded by appreciating the central government’s efforts in introducing landmark reforms in the power sector, which have aimed to make electricity more accessible and affordable.
“The northeastern region is rich not just in natural resources, but also in social capital. With proper infrastructure and policy support, we can transform this region into a power hub,” he asserted.
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The NERPC meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary of the Tripura Power Department Udayan Sinha, Managing Director of Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Biswajit Basu, and General Manager of Power Transport Limited Ranjan Debbarman.
