Power Minister Manohar Lal Unveils India’s First MWh-Scale Vanadium Flow Battery at NTPC NETRA
New Delhi, November 2025 — In a major milestone for India’s clean energy and storage ecosystem, Union Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the country’s first megawatt-hour (MWh) scale Vanadium Flow Battery (VFB) system at NTPC NETRA (National Energy Technology Research Alliance), the research and development centre of NTPC Limited.
The newly commissioned 3 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is the first of its kind in India and places the country among a select group of nations testing long-duration energy storage technologies at scale.
⚡ A Breakthrough in Energy Storage
The Vanadium Flow Battery system has been designed to store renewable power from solar and wind energy and release it when needed, especially during peak demand periods or low renewable generation. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, VRFB technology allows energy to be stored in liquid electrolytes, offering longer operational life and enhanced safety.
During the inauguration, Minister Manohar Lal highlighted that energy storage is the backbone of India’s transition to 24×7 renewable power.
“India cannot rely only on solar and wind. We need advanced storage solutions so that renewable energy becomes available round the clock. This vanadium flow battery is a major step towards that future,”
— Manohar Lal, Union Power Minister
🧪 Why Vanadium Flow Batteries Matter
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Long-duration storage | Ideal for 3–10 hours of storage |
| Longer lifespan | 20+ years with minimal degradation |
| Higher safety | No risk of thermal runaway or fire |
| Scalability | Energy capacity can be increased by adding more electrolyte |
Compared to lithium-ion batteries, which are more suited for short-duration storage, VRFBs are particularly useful for utility-scale applications like grid balancing, peak load shifting, and renewable energy management.
🔬 NTPC NETRA’s Role
NTPC NETRA continues to operate as a national hub for energy innovation, working on technologies including:
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Advanced battery storage systems
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Green hydrogen production and microgrid integration
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Renewable energy optimization and efficiency research
Flow batteries present a new chapter in NTPC’s diversification into futuristic energy solutions.
🇮🇳 Boosting India’s Clean Energy Mission
India aims to add 500 GW of non-fossil-based power capacity by 2030, and large-scale storage solutions are critical for integrating renewable sources into the national grid.
The Vanadium Flow Battery system will help:
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Reduce fossil fuel dependence
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Support stable renewable power supply
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Strengthen grid reliability and resilience
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Encourage indigenous R&D and technology development
The minister emphasized that energy storage will become as important as power generation in the coming decade.
🔭 What’s Next
NTPC plans to:
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Evaluate the performance of the VRFB project over multiple seasons
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Explore larger installations up to 100 MWh based on results
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Engage with industry partners to encourage domestic manufacturing of flow battery systems
If successful, the technology will move from R&D to full-scale commercial deployment across renewable-rich states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
✅ Conclusion
The commissioning of India’s first MWh-scale Vanadium Flow Battery is a landmark achievement demonstrating the nation’s commitment to innovation and a sustainable future. As India marches toward becoming a global renewable energy leader, advanced storage technologies such as VRFBs will play a decisive role in ensuring energy security, reliability, and affordability.