Agartala, July 19: In a major boost to the Northeast’s clean energy ambitions, Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has announced the region’s first-ever 800 MW Pumped Storage Project (PSP) to be set up in the state. The project will be developed by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) and marks a significant step towards energy sustainability in Tripura.
The announcement was made during the 29th North Eastern Region Power Committee (NERPC) meeting held in Guwahati, where Nath also strongly opposed a proposed gas price hike for the OTPC Palatana power plant. He argued that the hike would impose an unfair financial burden on all Northeastern states, successfully rallying support to block the move.
This upcoming 800 MW facility follows the development of the 900 MW Bagmundi PSP in West Bengal’s Purulia and is expected to play a key role in managing peak load demands and stabilizing the grid with clean, renewable energy.
Minister Nath also highlighted Tripura’s strides in renewable energy, including the installation of 45,000 solar street lights, 4,900 solar-powered irrigation pumps, 215 micro-grids, and various rooftop and off-grid solar projects with a combined generation capacity of 26 MW.
In line with its clean energy roadmap, Tripura has signed a ₹2,275 crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to renovate and upgrade the Rokhia and Doombur power plants. The renovation aims to double their current generation capacity and enhance efficiency.
Additionally, the state is exploring the deployment of battery energy storage systems to better manage solar energy output during peak demand hours, reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable and resilient power infrastructure.
The pumped storage project, once completed, is expected to transform Tripura into a key power hub in the region and significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
