Significant progress has been made on the largest hydropower project in India, the 2 GW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project. NHPC Limited announced that they have completed the erection of 767 ferrules for all eight lanes of pressure shaft liners. This step is crucial towards ensuring that the project is commissioned on time. There are approximately 3,000 construction workers working on the project located on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district. The goal is to have the 2GW Subansiri project up and running by May 2026. Furthermore, three units out of the eight total units are expected to be commissioned before the end of the second quarter.
Also Read India’s HMPL Plans 500MW Andhra Pradesh Solar Project
More on the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project
The hydropower project is expected to supply electricity to 17 states. These include Assam which will receive 533 MW of electricity produced and Arunachal Pradesh which will receive 274 MW. Additionally, 387 MW of electricity will be supplied to northern states and 613 MW to western states. Texmaco Rail and Engineering Ltd is working as the executing agency alongside NHPC Limited. The Subansiri project broke ground in 2005 but was stalled for 8 years between 2011 and 2019 due to protests and disagreements.
Project Overview
Location: Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Dhemaji district
Approximate cost: US$3.3 billion
Completion Date: March 2026
Developers: NHPC, Texmaco Rail adn Engineering Ltd
Project capacity: 2 GW
Number of turbines: 8
It was then slated to be completed by December last year however, natural disasters caused significant damage to the diversion tunnels that were crucial for construction of the dam. The landslide that occurred in October 2023 left only one diversion tunnel operational. The dam will use 8 tunnels to channel water to 8 turbines, generating a total of 2000 MW. Additionally, on January 29, 2025, the Spillway Radial Gate S-4 was successfully installed and completed in a record 29 days. With this, all nine spillway radial gates of the project are now in place.
Also Read Norsk Hydro to build new aluminium wire casthouse facility in Norway for NOK 1.7 billion
