New Delhi, 11 November 2025: Hon’ble Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, inaugurated India’s first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system at NTPC’s R&D centre, NETRA, on 11th November 2025. The 3 MWh capacity battery represents a significant milestone in long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions, supporting enhanced integration of renewable energy and strengthening grid resilience.
Visit Overview
Shri Manohar Lal visited NETRA accompanied by Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Additional Secretary Shri Piyush Singh, and other senior officials from the Ministry. The Minister was received by Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD of NTPC, along with other senior officials.
Demonstration Plants at NETRA
During the visit, the Minister observed several demonstration plants at NETRA, including:
- Green Hydrogen Mobility Plant
- STP Water-based Green Hydrogen Plant
- Solid Oxide-based High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer
- MSW-RDF based Enhanced Steam Gasification Plant
- AC Microgrid (4 MWp & 1 MWh Li-NMC Battery Energy Storage System)
The visit also included a tour of state-of-the-art NABL-accredited laboratories supporting NTPC’s R&D initiatives.
Focus on Innovation and Energy Transition
The Hon’ble Minister was briefed on NTPC’s pioneering research in Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, and Waste-to-Energy technologies. He commended the NETRA team for their innovative solutions addressing energy transition and energy security challenges. Shri Manohar Lal highlighted that India’s growing capabilities in technology and innovation are setting benchmarks for sustainable development.
Tree Plantation Ceremony
The visit concluded with a tree plantation ceremony, symbolizing NTPC’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and a greener future.