NHPC Limited has declared the commercial operation of the first generating unit (Unit-2, 250MW) of the 2000MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, marking a milestone in the development of India’s largest hydropower facility.
The Subansiri Lower project, located on the Subansiri River along the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border, is designed as a run-of-the-river hydroelectric scheme with a total capacity of 2,000 MW once fully commissioned.
According to NHPC’s announcement, the commercial operation of this 250MW unit is the first step toward bringing incremental capacity online and supporting grid stability in India’s northeastern region.
NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Bhupender Gupta said the project will “strengthen the national grid, support sustainable development in the Northeast and provide reliable renewable power to meet rising demand.”
Senior government officials, including the Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, participated in the commissioning event. The minister stated the project “symbolises India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy” and noted its role in advancing national clean energy targets.
NHPC noted that three additional 250MW units are expected to be commissioned in the near term, with the remaining units scheduled for phased commissioning through 2026–27. Once complete, the project is expected to generate about 7,422 million units of renewable electricity annually.
