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Manohar Lal Flags Off Commercial Operations of First Unit at NHPC’s 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydropower Project

Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal has inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit-2 (250 MW) of NHPC’s 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, marking a major milestone in India’s hydropower development. The inauguration was carried out through virtual mode, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Power.

With this development, the project is moving steadily towards the commissioning of three additional 250 MW units in the near term, while the remaining four units are scheduled to be brought online in a phased manner during 2026–27. Once fully operational, the project will be India’s largest hydropower facility.

The Subansiri Lower Project comprises eight units of 250 MW each and has been designed as a run-of-the-river scheme with small pondage. Water is diverted through eight head race tunnels to generate approximately 7,422 million units of renewable electricity annually. A key feature of the project is the 116-metre-high concrete gravity dam, the tallest in North-East India, which enhances grid stability, strengthens regional infrastructure, and contributes to flood moderation and improved water management in the Subansiri river basin.

Speaking on the occasion, the Power Minister described the commissioning of the unit as more than a technical milestone, calling it a reflection of sustained effort, teamwork, and perseverance over the years. He underlined the project’s significance in advancing clean and sustainable energy, supporting the development of the North-East, reinforcing the national power grid, and contributing to India’s long-term Net Zero ambitions.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal commended NHPC for the achievement, stating that the Subansiri Lower Project will significantly enhance electricity availability in the North-East and stands as an example of India’s capability to deliver advanced and sustainable power infrastructure. He stressed the importance of timely commissioning of the remaining units, noting the project’s role in driving both energy transition and socio-economic development in the region.

NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Bhupender Gupta stated that the project will play a critical role in strengthening the national grid while ensuring reliable and sustainable power supply to meet rising demand.

Beyond electricity generation, the project will supply power to 16 beneficiary states, provide free power allocations to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and deliver 1,000 MW to the North-East region, significantly improving regional energy security.

The project also showcases several engineering firsts, including India’s heaviest hydro generator rotors, largest stators, and biggest main inlet valves, along with the country’s largest aggregate processing plants and highest-capacity batching plant. As the first cascaded dam on the Subansiri River, it offers flood moderation through a 442 million cubic metre flood cushion, while maintaining one-third of its 1,365 million cubic metre reservoir capacity empty during flood periods to protect downstream areas.

In addition, NHPC has undertaken extensive riverbank protection and erosion control works along the Subansiri River, covering stretches up to 30 km downstream and extending further to 60 km, with an investment of around Rs522 crore, resulting in sustained riverbank stability over the past five years.

Over the past five decades, NHPC has executed hydropower projects in some of the country’s most challenging terrains and has diversified into solar, wind, and green hydrogen. The company currently operates 8,333 MW across 30 power stations, with 14 projects totalling 9,704 MW under construction, reinforcing its role as a key driver of India’s renewable energy expansion.