New Delhi: National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited has successfully commissioned all four units of the 800 MW Parbati Hydroelectric Project, Stage-II, in Himachal Pradesh, marking a major step in India’s renewable energy journey. The final 200 MW unit began commercial operation on April 16, 2025, completing the national project, while the first three units were brought online earlier this month.
Located in Kullu district, the run-of-the-river Parbati-II project has been constructed on the river Parbati. It features a concrete gravity dam near Pulga village and India’s longest Head Race Tunnel (HRT), spanning 31.56 km, carrying water to the powerhouse in the Sainj valley. The design leverages a vertical drop of 863 metres to drive four Pelton turbines, each generating 200 MW.
The project’s two inclined pressure shafts — both over 1.5 km in length — are recognised as the longest of their kind excavated using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). Water from five local nallahs also contributes to the power generation, enhancing the project's output.
Parbati-II is set to produce 3,074 million units (MU) of electricity annually. Its commissioning is expected to boost the output of the adjacent 520 MW Parbati-III project by another 1,262 MU. Himachal Pradesh will receive 12% of the electricity generated free of cost, along with 1% earmarked for local development.
First inaugurated in December 1999, the project faced numerous challenges, including harsh terrain, flash floods, and extreme weather. Despite these hurdles, NHPC has delivered the project at a revised cost of Rs 13,045 crore — up from the initially sanctioned Rs 3,919.59 crore.
NHPC’s development efforts have gone beyond power generation. The project includes 15 bridges and 88 km of roads, and over Rs 112 crore has been spent on local area development, with an additional Rs 27.83 crore under CSR. Livelihood support has been extended to 370 project-affected families, including hiring of 58 local vehicles and permanent employment for 20 individuals.
NHPC has also contributed to health and education in the region. A Kendriya Vidyalaya is being operated in Sainj with 422 students, 411 of whom are from local communities. In Kullu, NHPC has contributed Rs 4 crore towards the expansion of the Regional Hospital.
With this commissioning, NHPC’s total installed capacity has reached 8,140.04 MW, including 1,681.7 MW through joint ventures. Of the total, 7,771.20 MW is hydropower, while 368.84 MW comes from solar and wind energy projects.
BI Bureau
