Union Power Minister Inaugurates Commercial Operation of First Unit of India’s Largest Hydropower Project

Union Minister of Power, Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal today inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit–2 (250 MW) of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, India’s largest hydropower project, through virtual mode. The project is being developed by NHPC Limited on the Subansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, spanning Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Addressing the occasion, the Union Minister described the commissioning as “not just a technical achievement, but a testament to years of hard work, dedication and teamwork.” He said the Subansiri Project symbolises India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy, strengthening the national grid, accelerating development in the North-East and supporting the country’s Net Zero ambitions.

The event was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Government of India, Bhupender Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, NHPC, and senior officials from the Ministry of Power and NHPC.

Pankaj Agarwal congratulated NHPC on the milestone and said the Subansiri Lower Project would significantly improve power availability in the North-East while showcasing India’s capability to deliver large-scale, state-of-the-art hydropower projects. He emphasised the timely commissioning of the remaining units and noted that the project would play a critical role in India’s transition towards a Net Zero energy future, while generating substantial socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Bhupender Gupta, CMD, NHPC, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Power, the Governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, former NHPC leadership, project teams and all stakeholders for their continued support. He said the project would strengthen the national grid, support sustainable development in the North-East and provide reliable renewable energy to meet the country’s growing demand.

With the commissioning of Unit–2, the project is progressing towards the commissioning of three more 250 MW units shortly, followed by phased commissioning of the remaining four units during 2026–27. Once fully commissioned, the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project will add 2,000 MW of renewable capacity and generate 7,422 million units of clean electricity annually.

Designed as a run-of-the-river scheme with small pondage, the project comprises eight units of 250 MW each and features the largest dam in North-East India—a 116-metre-high concrete gravity dam. The dam also provides flood moderation with a flood cushion of 442 million cubic metres, enhancing water management and protecting downstream communities.

The project showcases engineering excellence with India’s heaviest hydro generator rotors, largest stators and main inlet valves, along with advanced construction technologies such as the country’s largest aggregate processing plants, highest-capacity batching plant and the first-ever use of Rotec’s Tower Belt system for dam concreting in India.

NHPC has undertaken extensive riverbank protection and erosion control measures along the Subansiri River, completing works up to 30 km downstream and extending them up to 60 km, with an investment of about ₹522 crore. These measures have successfully stabilised riverbanks for over five years. Additionally, NHPC is supporting livelihood development programmes in piggery, sericulture and handloom in partnership with IRMA, benefiting around 5,000 women farmers.

The project will supply power to 16 beneficiary states, provide free power to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and allocate 1,000 MW to the North-East region, significantly enhancing regional energy security.

During its construction phase, the project engaged around 7,000 local people daily and generated substantial direct and indirect employment. With continuous power availability, it is expected to catalyse industrial growth, reduce outmigration, boost tourism and improve river navigation, contributing to long-term regional development.

NHPC has invested approximately ₹155 crore in CSR initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, including construction of over 3,100 toilets under Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyaan, establishment of a Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya at Dollungmukh, provision of safe drinking water facilities and execution of multiple rural infrastructure projects.

Over the past five decades, NHPC has executed hydropower projects in some of the most challenging terrains and has diversified into solar, wind and green hydrogen. With an installed capacity of 8,333 MW from 30 power stations and 9,704 MW under construction, NHPC continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s clean energy ecosystem and national energy security.