Manohar Lal Inaugurates 250 MW Unit At Subansiri Lower Hydropower Project

New Delhi, Dec 24 (KNN) Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit–2 (250 MW) of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, marking another milestone in India’s clean energy expansion in the North-East.

Addressing the event, the minister said the commissioning of the unit reflects years of sustained effort and underlines India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy. 

He noted that the Subansiri project will support economic growth in the North-East, strengthen the national power grid and contribute to India’s long-term Net Zero goals.

Progress of the Subansiri Project

With the commissioning of Unit–2, the project is moving towards the commissioning of three 250 MW units in the near term, followed by phased commissioning of the remaining four units during 2026–27. Once fully operational, the project will add 2,000 MW of renewable capacity to the national grid.

The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, India’s largest hydropower project, comprises eight units of 250 MW each and is designed as a run-of-the-river scheme with limited pondage. It is expected to generate around 7,422 million units (MU) of renewable electricity annually.

Engineering and Flood Management Features

The project features the largest dam in North-East India, a 116-metre-high concrete gravity dam, and includes several engineering innovations such as India’s heaviest hydro generator rotors, largest stators and high-capacity inlet valves. 

As the first cascaded dam on the Subansiri River, it provides flood moderation with a flood cushion of 442 million cubic metres, aiding downstream flood management.

NHPC has also undertaken extensive riverbank protection and erosion control works along a 60-km stretch downstream, with an investment of about Rs 522 crore, helping stabilise riverbanks and protect local communities.

The project will supply electricity to 16 beneficiary states, with free power allocations to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The North-East region will receive 1,000 MW from the project, significantly improving regional energy availability.

(KNN Bureau)