Gerukamukh: In a major milestone for India’s hydropower sector, NHPC Limited has begun the wet commissioning of the first 250 MW unit of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, the largest hydroelectric project currently under construction in the country. The commissioning process follows the successful mechanical run of the turbine, bringing the project closer to partial operational launch.
Located at Gerukamukh on the Arunachal Pradesh–Assam border, the project was originally launched in January 2005. However, construction was halted for nearly eight years from 2011 to 2019 due to public protests in Assam and legal challenges concerning downstream environmental and safety concerns. Work resumed in October 2019 after NHPC implemented enhanced safety and mitigation measures.
A ceremony marking the commissioning milestone was attended by NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Shri Bhupender Gupta, Executive Director and Project Head Shri Rajendra Prasad, along with senior officials from NHPC’s corporate and site offices.
Shri Gupta expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Power, the governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and all stakeholders, calling the achievement “a shining testament to NHPC’s engineering excellence and India’s growing strength in world-class infrastructure.” He added that the project would play a key role in advancing the nation’s clean energy goals and energy security.
With Unit-1 now undergoing wet commissioning, grid synchronisation is expected soon. NHPC aims to commission three additional 250 MW units within the year, adding 1,000 MW to India’s power supply. Once all eight units are operational, the Subansiri Lower HEP (8 × 250 MW) will become the largest hydroelectric facility in India, capable of supplying electricity to millions of households.
