India is undergoing a significant transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and public sector undertakings like NHPC are playing a crucial role in steering this shift. With the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, NHPC is at the forefront of leveraging hydro, solar, and wind energy to power the nation’s green future.
Raj Kumar Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC, in an exclusive conversation with ETGovernment’s Adarsh Som, discusses the company’s key initiatives and India’s growing potential as a global renewable energy powerhouse.
Edited excerpts:
NHPC has been a leader in hydro and pumped storage projects. What new innovations are you focusing on in the renewable sector?
The energy landscape is evolving rapidly, and NHPC is adapting to this shift. While hydro and pumped storage remain our core strengths, we have significantly expanded into solar, wind, and even green hydrogen initiatives. To accelerate India’s renewable energy growth, the government has established the Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA), which includes NHPC alongside SECI, NTPC, and SJVN. As part of REIA, we are actively developing standalone solar and wind projects, hybrid renewable farms (wind-solar-battery combinations), and large-scale battery storage solutions to ensure round-the-clock energy availability.The technological advancements in this sector are remarkable. Not long ago, solar panels had a capacity of just 330W. Today, we are deploying high-efficiency panels reaching 590W and even 620W, increasing energy output while optimizing infrastructure. Similarly, capacity utilization factors (CUF) have risen from 19-20% to 34-35%, thanks to improvements like bi-facial and bi-axial solar panels that track the sun’s movement for maximum efficiency. On the wind energy front, we’ve witnessed incredible progress. Our earlier wind turbines had a capacity of 2MW, but now we are installing 5.2MW turbines—more than double the power output. The height of wind turbines has also increased from 30 meters to over 100 meters, capturing stronger and more consistent wind currents. All these innovations are driving efficiency, ensuring more energy generation from the same infrastructure footprint.India is gradually shifting towards renewables, but fossil fuels still play a role. How do you see the transition unfolding?
Transitioning to renewables is a journey, not an overnight shift. Today, India’s power mix still heavily relies on coal, oil, and hydro to meet demand. However, the renewable energy share is rapidly increasing. With the government’s strong push toward net-zero, we are on track to making renewables the backbone of our energy sector. Natural gas acts as an essential bridge in this transition. Moving from solid and liquid fossil fuels to cleaner natural gas will help ease the shift before large-scale renewable adoption takes full effect. This phase also opens doors for clean fuels like green hydrogen and green ammonia. Given India’s vast solar and wind potential, we are strategically investing in these emerging energy sources to ensure long-term sustainability.
NHPC aims to generate over 1000MW of solar power annually. Can you elaborate on this project and its impact on India’s energy landscape?
We have already commissioned 212MW of solar power, with an additional 1490MW in the pipeline. As part of REIA, NHPC is also working on a massive 14,000MW solar energy initiative. Beyond solar, NHPC has been designated as a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Implementing Agency (BIA), where we are spearheading 1500MWhr of battery storage projects. Additionally, we are developing 20 pumped storage projects with a combined capacity of 20,000MW, ensuring consistent energy supply even when solar and wind generation fluctuate. In the hydropower sector, NHPC has an installed capacity of 6971.2MW across 22 power stations. Projects totaling 9314MW are under construction, while another 40,406MW are at various stages of clearance. We are also conducting surveys for 5475MW and planning new initiatives amounting to 14,700MW. This multi-faceted approach ensures that India’s energy mix remains robust, sustainable, and future-ready.
What should be India’s top priorities to establish itself as a global leader in renewable energy?
The Indian government is aggressively pushing renewable energy production, and the results are evident. One key initiative is the deployment of 30,000MW of solar rooftop capacity, boosting decentralized power generation. Gujarat, for instance, has immense potential for hybrid renewable projects, integrating wind and solar. On a recent visit, I saw firsthand how massive windmills and solar panels are working in synergy—this is the future of India’s energy sector. Our vision is not just to meet India’s power needs but also to become an exporter of surplus renewable energy. This aligns with the government’s ambition to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen and ammonia production.
Green hydrogen is gaining attention, but cost remains a major hurdle. How is NHPC addressing this challenge?
The biggest barrier to green hydrogen adoption is cost. However, we are tackling this challenge through technology innovation and scaling up production. To reduce costs, we need breakthrough advancements in electrolysis and fuel cell technologies. Our teams, including ministry officials, scientists, and engineers, are working tirelessly to refine these processes. Once we achieve technological efficiency, the next step is large-scale production. By ramping up output, we can ensure both affordability and availability of green hydrogen and green ammonia for domestic use and global exports.
How do you see the future prospects of the renewable energy sector in India?
India is at the cusp of a renewable energy revolution. With ambitious goals, technological advancements, and strategic policy support, we are not only on track to achieving energy security but also emerging as a global leader in green energy exports. NHPC remains committed to driving this transformation, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for generations to come.
