In a landmark achievement for India’s renewable energy sector, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited announced the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of Unit No 2 (250 MW) of its ambitious 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) on December 23.
The project, spread across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, is set to become the largest hydroelectric power station in India upon full commissioning.The commercial operation of the first unit marks a crucial step towards harnessing the clean energy potential of the North-East region.
The virtual inauguration ceremony was presided over by Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, who termed it a proud milestone reflecting sustained teamwork and India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy.
The event witnessed participation from top officials, including Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Mohd Afzal, Joint Secretary (Hydro), Ministry of Power, and senior NHPC executives—Bhupender Gupta, CMD, and Directors Uttam Lal (Personnel), Sanjay Kumar Singh (Projects), Suprakash Adhikari (Technical), Mahesh Kumar Sharma (Finance), and Santosh Kumar (CVO).
NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Bhupender Gupta expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Power, the state governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and all stakeholders for their continued support.
Rajendra Prasad, Executive Director and Head of SLHEP, reaffirmed the corporation’s determination to complete the project on schedule. “Our team is working round the clock to ensure that the next phases are delivered with the same precision and efficiency. The Subansiri project represents NHPC’s enduring commitment to clean, reliable, and affordable power,” he said.
Once fully operational, the Subansiri Lower HEP—comprising eight units of 250 MW each—will generate 2,000 MW of electricity, supplying power to 16 states and allocating 1,000 MW to the North-East. The project will also provide free power to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, ensuring direct regional benefits.
Engineered with innovative run-of-the-river technology, the project minimises environmental impact by utilising the natural flow of the Subansiri River instead of large-scale reservoirs. Strategically straddling the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, the dam—located 2.3 km upstream on the Subansiri River—will play a key role in strengthening India’s hydropower network and supporting the national goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
