Dibrugarh: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) directors reviewed work at the 2,000-MW Subansiri Lower project on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.NHPC director (technical) Suprakash Adhikari and director (finance) Mahesh Kumar Sharma inspected the Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP) at Gerukamukh on Saturday and reviewed ongoing electro-mechanical and hydro-mechanical works.They visited the powerhouse, dam site, diversion tunnel inlet and outlet areas, and the head race tunnel intake area. They reviewed construction and erection activities and preparedness for commissioning the remaining generating units.Pradip Kumar Ray, executive director and head of the project, briefed them on its status, including power generation from Units 1 to 4, preparedness for commissioning Unit 5, and balance works for Units 6 to 8.A key milestone was the start of rotor assembly for Unit 7, which has an installed capacity of 250 MW. The assembly will support the unit’s erection and commissioning and help advance the project’s overall commissioning process.The directors also reviewed other ongoing works and interacted with senior officials and project personnel.“The commencement of rotor assembly for Unit 7 is an important milestone in taking forward the erection and commissioning activities. Continued coordinated efforts will be essential for completing the balance works and achieving the project’s commissioning targets,” officials said.The run-of-river project on Subansiri River has eight 250-MW units and a total installed capacity of 2,000 MW. Once fully commissioned, it will be India’s largest hydroelectric project.Four units have already entered commercial operation. Unit 2 commenced operations on Dec 23, 2025, followed by Unit 3 on Feb 1, 2026. Unit 1 achieved commercial operation on March 20, and Unit 4 on May 8, taking the project’s operational capacity to 1,000 MW.Unit 5 is expected to add another 250 MW. With rotor assembly underway for Unit 7 and work progressing on Units 5, 6 and 8, NHPC is pursuing phased commissioning of the remaining units, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
