New Delhi, November 12, 2025: In a significant milestone for India’s clean energy transition, Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, inaugurated the country’s first and largest MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system of 3 MWh capacity at NTPC NETRA, Greater Noida.
The state-of-the-art system represents a major leap in long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies, paving the way for enhanced renewable energy integration and improved grid stability.
During his visit to NTPC’s R&D Centre, the Minister was accompanied by Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Shri Piyush Singh, Additional Secretary, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Power. He was received by Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC, along with the NTPC leadership team.
Lauding NTPC NETRA’s pioneering efforts, Shri Manohar Lal commended the team for developing innovative solutions to address India’s energy transition and security challenges. He noted that India’s progress in research, innovation, and indigenous technology development is setting new global benchmarks for sustainable growth and energy resilience.
The Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB), an advanced energy storage technology, is emerging as a viable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Its large-scale application can diversify the materials used for battery systems, reduce import dependency, and support India’s clean energy ambitions.
The Minister also reviewed NTPC’s ongoing R&D initiatives in Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, and Waste-to-Energy technologies, underscoring NTPC NETRA’s role as a national innovation hub.
As part of the visit, Shri Manohar Lal toured several demonstration projects 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 BESS)
alongside state-of-the-art NABL-accredited laboratories that support advanced energy research.
This landmark development reinforces NTPC’s commitment to driving India’s energy innovation ecosystem, accelerating the transition towards a sustainable, self-reliant, and green energy future.
