Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project Advances as Two Units Begin Power Generation

The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (HEP), one of India’s major hydroelectric ventures, is steadily moving toward full completion, with two of its eight generating units already commissioned and supplying electricity to beneficiary states. The project, being developed by NHPC Limited, is located on the Subansiri River along the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and has a total installed capacity of 2,000 MW, with eight units of 250 MW each.

According to the government, the remaining six units are scheduled to be commissioned in phases by December 2026. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate around 7,422 million units (MU) of electricity annually, making it a major contributor to India’s renewable energy output.

Beyond electricity generation, the project is expected to deliver wider strategic and environmental benefits. It is envisaged to help with flood moderation in the Brahmaputra Valley, a region that regularly faces the threat of severe flooding. The project is also expected to improve grid stability by helping balance variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, while also providing crucial peaking power support to the national grid.

The government has stated that the project has received the required environmental and forest clearances from the relevant authorities. NHPC has also undertaken riverbank protection and erosion control measures downstream of the dam. On the issue of structural and operational safety, the project is being monitored in line with the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, under the guidance and recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).

Officials also highlighted the project’s impact on local communities. During the construction phase, it has provided employment to around 7,000 local workers. NHPC is also carrying out a range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in areas such as education, skill development, health, sanitation, and rural development. In addition, the company has launched livelihood programmes that have benefited nearly 5,000 women, while the project has also supported the development of roads and bridges, improving connectivity for nearby villages.

The update was shared by Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Source: PIB