NHPC begins commercial operation of 2nd unit at Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project

Economic Times
Economic Times
17m ago
7 views
NHPC began commercial operation of a 250 MW unit at the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, India's largest hydroelectric project.
NHPC begins commercial operation of 2nd unit at Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project
A What happened
The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, an 8-unit (8 x 250 MW) run-of-river hydroelectric power plant on the Arunachal Pradesh and Assam border, is India's largest hydroelectric project. NHPC’s operation of the second unit, costing roughly Rs 27,000 crore, signals a significant increase in clean energy supply. It represents a critical step toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels and meeting India’s energy demands sustainably.
★

Key insights

  • 1

    Scale and significance of the project: At 2,000 MW, the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is the largest hydroelectric venture in India, indicating a strong push towards large-scale renewable energy investment.

  • 2

    Strategic location for energy and regional development: Located on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border, the project leverages the region's river system for power, potentially spurring economic growth and infrastructure development in northeastern India.

  • 3

    Run-of-river design implications: The run-of-river approach reduces environmental footprint compared to large reservoir dams but entails variability in power generation tied to river flow dynamics.

Takeaways

The commercial operation of the Subansiri project’s second unit marks a notable advancement in India’s renewable energy infrastructure, boosting clean energy supply and regional development potential.

Topics

Business & Markets Energy & Commodities Climate & Environment Energy Transition