New Delhi: In a landmark achievement for India’s clean energy transition, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the country’s first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) at NTPC NETRA, the research and development (R&D) center of NTPC Ltd. located in Greater Noida.
The 3 MWh system, developed in-house by NTPC NETRA, represents India’s largest vanadium flow battery installation and a major step forward in the nation’s efforts to establish long-duration energy storage (LDES) capabilities. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, Additional Secretary Piyush Singh, and NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Power and NTPC.
A Milestone in Long-Duration Energy Storage
The newly commissioned Vanadium Redox Flow Battery marks a significant technological advancement in India’s renewable energy ecosystem. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, vanadium flow batteries use liquid electrolytes, allowing them to store energy for extended durations with enhanced safety, longer life cycles, and scalability.
According to the Ministry of Power, the project “marks a major step forward in the nation’s journey towards long-duration energy storage solutions, enhancing renewable energy integration and grid resilience.”
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Minister Commends NTPC’s Clean Energy Innovation
Lauding NTPC NETRA’s achievement, Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted the project as a symbol of India’s growing innovation and technological self-reliance in clean energy.
“This development showcases NTPC’s commitment to driving the next phase of energy innovation. Projects like these are setting new benchmarks in sustainability and energy transition,” he said.
Khattar added that the adoption of vanadium flow battery technology would not only diversify India’s energy storage materials beyond lithium but also strengthen supply chain resilience by reducing dependence on imported components.
Focus on Emerging Energy Technologies
During his visit to NTPC NETRA, the minister reviewed several demonstration projects and pilot plants, including:
- Green Hydrogen Mobility Plant
- STP Water-based Green Hydrogen Plant
- Solid Oxide High-Temperature Steam Electrolyser
- Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)-based enhanced steam gasification plant
- AC Microgrid system integrating 4 MWp solar with 1 MWh Li-NMC battery storage
The NETRA campus also houses NABL-accredited laboratories for advanced energy research, making it a hub for innovation in emerging technologies.
NTPC’s Expanding R&D Footprint
NTPC Ltd., India’s largest power producer, has been steadily expanding its research and development initiatives to support the country’s decarbonisation goals. The company’s clean energy research portfolio now spans green hydrogen, carbon capture, waste-to-energy, and energy storage technologies, in alignment with India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Driving Indigenous Energy Storage Solutions
The successful commissioning of India’s first 3 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery is expected to pave the way for indigenous energy storage solutions and grid-scale renewable integration.
With this milestone, NTPC NETRA has positioned itself at the forefront of India’s long-duration energy storage innovation, supporting the nation’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient power grid.
About NTPC Ltd
NTPC Limited, India’s largest power producer and a leading public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, is at the forefront of the nation’s energy transition. Established in 1975, NTPC has grown from a thermal power generator to a diversified energy company with operations spanning renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, and carbon capture technologies.
