The National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has announced plans to establish an 800 MW Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Tripura, marking the first such facility in the North-East region since the 900 MW Bagmundi project in West Bengal’s Purulia. This groundbreaking project was revealed by Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath during the 29th North Eastern Region Power Committee (NERPC) meeting held in Guwahati on July 18.
The new PSP is aimed at enhancing renewable energy generation in Tripura and aligns with the state’s broader commitment to clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. Minister Nath, during the meeting, also played a crucial role in preventing a potential financial setback for the region. He opposed a proposal introduced at the Technical Committee meeting on July 17 to raise gas prices for the OTPC Palatana power project, arguing that it would burden consumers with additional costs. As a result of his intervention, the proposal was withdrawn.
Minister Nath highlighted India’s focus on green energy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasized Tripura’s alignment with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. He pointed out the state’s clean energy accomplishments, such as the installation of approximately 45,000 solar street lights, 4,900 solar pumps, 215 micro-grids, 3 MW of solar rooftop units, and 2 MW of off-grid solar systems, generating a total of 26 MW of solar power.
NHPC’s pumped storage project in Tripura will be executed in compliance with Ministry of Power guidelines, positioning it as a vital renewable asset in the Northeast. To further strengthen the power infrastructure in Tripura, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide financial support totaling ₹2,275 crore to the Tripura government. This funding will facilitate the modernization of the power distribution system and enhance efficiency. Two major projects—the Rokhia gas-based power plant in Sepahijala and the Gomati hydropower project—will be upgraded under this initiative. The capacity of the Rokhia plant will be doubled from 63 MW, while the Doombur hydel plant’s output will increase from 5 MW to 10 MW.
Minister Nath also announced the finalization of a comprehensive roadmap for Tripura’s Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) development up to 2031–32. This roadmap includes the construction of new GIS/AIS substations, expansion of transmission lines, upgrading Extra High Voltage (EHV) substations, and replacing aging conductors with high-efficiency HTLS conductors. Plans for the period extending to 2034–35 are also under active consideration.
