Greenko’s bold vision and strategic partnership with AFRY

Interview with Mr. P M Nanda, EVP Engineering & Projects, Greenko
March 17, 2025

Since 2005, Greenko has evolved from a bioenergy developer into one of India’s leading integrated renewable energy companies, with pioneering work in solar, wind, and particularly pumped storage hydropower.

We sat down with Mr. Nanda, a senior executive and Chief Technology Officer at Greenko, to reflect on the company’s journey, its mission to enable a carbon-free energy future, and the strategic role AFRY has played as a trusted partner along the way.

What is Greenko’s mission and its role in India’s energy transition?

“Greenko began in 2005 as a green energy development company, starting with biogas and gradually expanding into solar, wind, and small hydro projects. By 2017, we had commissioned nearly 4 GW of capacity. Recognizing the future need for energy storage, we pioneered pumped storage projects (PSPs) in India — well before the regulatory frameworks were in place. Our mission is to decarbonize India’s energy landscape, and we’re now targeting 100 GW of PSP capacity by 2029.

We’ve also launched AM Green, our green molecule arm, focusing on green hydrogen and ammonia. With offtake agreements already in place with partners in Germany and Norway, we aim to begin exporting green ammonia by the end of next year.”

You were early adopters of energy storage in India. What made you choose pumped storage?

“We anticipated the critical role that energy storage would play in India’s future energy landscape. Back in 2017, storage was still a nascent concept — there were no clear policies or regulatory frameworks in place. But our management recognized the long-term need and made a bold decision to move ahead. It wasn’t easy — we had to do extensive groundwork, including engaging with government authorities to demonstrate that pumped storage projects (PSPs) would be essential for grid stability and renewable integration.

Among the various storage options, we opted for pumped storage because of its proven scalability, reliability, and ability to support large volumes of clean energy. Within that, we identified off-stream pumped storage as the most viable model. Compared to on-stream projects, off-stream PSPs come with lower environmental impact, faster construction timelines, and more favorable cost structures. That’s why all of our PSPs are off-stream.

We were the first in India to adopt this scheme, and our flagship Pinnapuram project is a testament to that vision. It’s the world’s largest integrated renewable energy project — 5.23 GW combining solar, wind, and 1.68 GW of pumped storage, all integrated behind the meter. AFRY served as our principal design consultant for the pumped storage component, helping us create a project that remains unmatched in scale and integration.”

How would you describe your partnership with AFRY?

“Our collaboration began with AFRY’s support for the pre-feasibility report for our first pumped storage project. At that time, we were still developing our technical capabilities in pumped storage, and AFRY’s expertise gave us the confidence that we were heading in the right direction.

Since then, AFRY has become a trusted partner for Greenko. Their role in our flagship Pinnapuram project has been especially critical. As the principal design consultant, AFRY supported us through detailed engineering and helped navigate complex technical challenges. We often needed rapid decision-making on-site to avoid costly delays, and AFRY consistently delivered — mobilizing both Indian and international experts at very short notice when required.

Because pumped storage is so technically driven, timely and accurate decisions are crucial. AFRY’s ability to provide quick, reliable technical guidance played a key role in moving the project forward. What really sets AFRY apart is not just their technical competence but their ability to work as an integrated part of our team. We don’t see the relationship as client and consultant. For us, it’s a true partnership. Together, we’ve solved highly complex technical issues, under tight deadlines, and in often high-pressure environments. That level of collaboration has been essential to keeping our projects on track.”

Can you share an example of a challenge where AFRY made a difference?

“One of the biggest challenges we faced was during the construction of the powerhouse at Pinnapuram. The geological conditions turned out to be different from what was anticipated in the pre-feasibility stage. The rock mass required a much stronger support system, and we had to shift from a standard rock bolt and shotcrete system to a cable anchor system – something that’s both time-consuming and costly.

Normally, such a major design change could delay a project by a year or more. But in our case, all key players — AFRY, our internal team, the review consultant, and the contractor — were present on-site. We worked closely together to assess the situation, evaluate options, and arrive at a technically sound solution very quickly. AFRY’s engineers, including their international experts, were instrumental in enabling that fast, collaborative decision-making.

Another case was the change in dam design. Initially, we planned for a central core embankment, but after AFRY’s evaluation, we shifted to a surface sealing system. Through deep technical assessments, we moved from an asphalt option to a geomembrane-based design, which proved to be a better and faster alternative. This became India’s first geomembrane-based dam, and it is now being adopted across the industry."

What’s your outlook on the future of energy storage?

“Energy storage is essential, not just for India, but globally. While batteries have a role in short-duration storage, pumped storage is unmatched for long-duration needs. With lifespans of 40–50 years and low operating costs, PSPs offer sustainable, round-the-clock green power—critical for example for green hydrogen, steel and ammonia production — all of which require stable, 24/7 renewable power.

India’s solar-heavy grid makes long-duration storage even more vital. Off-stream PSPs are technically, financially, and environmentally attractive — and they’re here to stay.”

Any final thoughts on your collaboration with AFRY?

“AFRY is currently supporting us on three active projects — Pinnapuram, Saundatti, and Shahpur. Their consistent performance and deep technical expertise have earned our trust. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we scale up our efforts in India and abroad.”

At AFRY, we’re proud to walk alongside Greenko as they accelerate India’s energy transition — and scale solutions that will shape the global clean energy landscape. Because building the future requires not just technology, but trusted partnerships rooted in shared purpose.

– Sai Seela, Managing Director at AFRY in India