The 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP), India’s largest and most anticipated hydropower venture, achieved a crucial technical breakthrough on Thursday. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director (Projects), NHPC, visited the project site to personally oversee the successful trial run of Unit-2 (250 MW), a critical step that signals the imminent commissioning of the mega-project.
The trial run represents the culmination of years of rigorous engineering and follows the successful synchronisation of the same unit with the National Grid earlier this month. This phase tests the mechanical and electrical integrity of the turbine-generator set under operational conditions, ensuring the system is primed for sustained power generation.
During his visit, Singh was briefed by Rajendra Prasad, Executive Director and Head of the Project, on the rapid pace of construction and the final preparedness for full-scale commissioning.Witnessing the Unit-2 trial run, Singh lauded the technical precision exhibited by the engineers and on-ground workers.
“The successful trial run of Unit-2 is a defining milestone that brings us to the doorstep of a new era in India’s renewable energy journey. This achievement is a testament to the untiring efforts and dedication of the entire Subansiri team, who have overcome immense geographical and logistical challenges to bring this project to life,” he said.
Singh also conducted a thorough inspection of the project’s vital infrastructure, including the Main Dam, the Diversion Tunnel inlet and outlet areas, and the spillway structures. He reviewed the status of the remaining “balance works” and held intensive interactions with contractors and stakeholders.
The progress witnessed stands in stark contrast to the project’s turbulent history. Initiated in 2005, construction was halted for eight years starting in 2011 due to intense environmental concerns and local protests. It was only after a 2019 National Green Tribunal (NGT) clearance that work resumed in full swing.
The project utilises run-of-the-river technology, which minimises environmental impact by using the natural flow of the Subansiri River rather than massive reservoirs.
Spanning the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the SLHEP is designed to generate 2,000 MW of power through eight units of 250 MW each. Once fully operational, the Subansiri Lower project will be the largest hydropower station in India, providing a massive boost to the Northeast’s economy and significantly reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.
