NHPC plans massive 27,000 MW renewable energy expansion

NHPC has outlined a robust renewable pipeline totalling over 27 000 MW—including 8 193 MW operational, 9 843 MW under construction, and 9 030 MW in survey—to bolster India’s net‑zero and climate goals. India’s flagship hydropower PSU, NHPC Ltd, is dramatically expanding its renewable footprint, with over 27 000 MW of clean energy capacity in its pipeline.

Speaking at the ET India Net Zero Forum, its chair revealed the current portfolio includes 8 193 MW of commissioned “green” capacity, alongside 9 843 MW under construction and 9 030 MW in survey stages—cutting across hydro, pumped storage, solar, wind and green‑hydrogen initiatives. This expansion supports India’s stated ambition of achieving 500 GW of non‑fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with NHPC already commissioning 3 000 MW of renewables through 2027. As part of the government’s RE Implementing Agency programme, NHPC has tendered 16 000 MW and awarded 15 000 MW to development partners.

However, grid stability remains a key concern. The company emphasises the intermittency of wind and solar, and is calling for enhanced capacity in energy storage and alternative sources such as green hydrogen and biomass to balance India’s energy mix. NHPC also operates where geography meets ambition—hydropower dams are being stitched into eco-efforts. The company reports parallel afforestation drives alongside dam projects to broaden forest cover and biodiversity. Cross-border collaboration is emerging as another strategic lever. NHPC is exploring hydropower ventures with Bhutan and Nepal; it is already active in Nepal, tapping into the region’s latent hydro potential .

NHPC’s outlook for pumped-storage hydropower is vigorous. A pre-feasibility study is underway for pumped hydro systems, facilitating clean baseload power and energy balancing. The company’s pipeline includes solar, wind and battery initiatives too, alongside hydropower . Earlier, NHPC pledged to deliver 16 700 MW of renewable capacity by 2030 and produce 500 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, backed by ₹80 261 crore capital investment and ₹450 crore for hydrogen infrastructure . Despite this momentum, India’s grid continues to rely heavily on coal, which still contributes around 75% of generation. Renewable sources are rapidly growing, but still require robust storage and grid integration capacity—NHPC’s trajectory aims to fill that gap.

Execution challenges remain. Ensuring quality project delivery and tying together solar, hydro, storage and hydrogen infrastructure requires complex coordination. Furthermore, visibility across tenders and clear PPA agreements will determine financial viability . Critics note that while afforestation adds green cover, genuine ecological value depends on species mix, long‑term survival and community stewardship. Transitioning rural economies – especially in Himalayan hydropower zones – requires ensuring gender‑inclusive local benefit and ecosystem integrity. If managed well, NHPC’s growth strategy could serve as a model for low‑carbon, climate‑resilient urban and rural development. Clean-energy expansion, storage capacity and cross-border collaboration support India’s net‑zero vision, while hydropower-led green corridors promise both ecological and energy dividend.

Yet the devil lies in delivery: from PPA frameworks and grid upgrades to storage roll-out and hydrogen affordability. With ₹100 billion-scale investment already underway, NHPC’s journey stands at a crossroads between policy promise and structural preparedness. For India’s rapidly urbanising regions, robust renewable infrastructure is essential for equitable, gender‑neutral energy access. NHPC’s renewable ambition offers the kind of scalable, green backbone that cities and communities rely upon—but its success will be judged not by capacity plans, but by clean energy actually flowing when needed.

NHPC plans massive 27,000 MW renewable energy expansion