Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Tuesday inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit–2 (250 MW) of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, the country’s largest hydropower project. The inauguration was held in virtual mode, marking a major milestone in India’s renewable energy journey.

Speaking on the occasion, Manohar Lal said the commissioning of the unit was not merely a technical achievement but a reflection of years of dedication, teamwork and perseverance. He highlighted that the Subansiri project symbolises India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy, while supporting the economic growth of the North-East, strengthening the national grid and advancing the country’s Net Zero ambitions.

The event was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Bhupender Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, NHPC, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Power and NHPC. Agarwal said the Subansiri Lower Project would significantly improve energy availability in the North-East and underscored the importance of timely commissioning of the remaining units to support India’s transition to a Net Zero energy future.

Gupta expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Power, the governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, former NHPC leadership and all stakeholders for their support. He said the project would provide reliable renewable power, strengthen the national grid and contribute to sustainable regional development.

With Unit–2 now operational, the project is set to commission three more 250 MW units shortly, followed by phased commissioning of the remaining four units during 2026–27. Once fully commissioned, the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower project will substantially enhance India’s renewable energy capacity and grid resilience.

Designed as a run-of-the-river scheme with small pondage, the project will generate about 7,422 million units of electricity annually. It will supply power to 16 beneficiary states, provide free power to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and allocate 1,000 MW to the North-East, reinforcing regional energy security.