India's largest hydropower company, NHPC Limited, has successfully conducted the trial run of Unit 4 (200 MW) of its cornerstone Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh. With this, trial runs of all four units of the 800 MW project have been completed, setting up NHPC to further solidify the country's renewable energy framework.
Key Points
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The Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project, situated in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, consists of an overall installed capacity of 800 MW, which is split into four units of 200 MW each.
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Unit 4's trial run was successfully done on April 13, 2025, after the previous operationalization of Units 1, 2, and 3 from April 1, 2025.
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The scheme is a run-of-the-river project with small pondage, using water tapped from the Parbati River through an 83.7-meter-high dam and a 31.56 km head race tunnel—the longest in India.
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The Siund powerhouse has four Pelton turbines, each with a capacity of 200 MW.
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The project faced significant construction challenges, including difficult terrain, cloudbursts, and geological issues, but overcame them through persistent efforts since its inception in 2002.
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Himachal Pradesh will receive 12% of the generated power as free power, with an additional 1% allocated for local area development.
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NHPC has also invested in infrastructure in the region, constructing 15 bridges and 88 kilometers of roads, and has also spent more than Rs. 27 crore in CSR activities in the region.
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The Commercial Operation Date (COD) of Unit 4 is to be announced shortly, thus completing the project's full operationalization.
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Parbati-II project will have an annual production of 3,074 million units of electricity, substantially augmenting the region's power availability and aligning with India's clean energy objective.
Conclusion
The successful test operation of Unit 4 at the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project is a major milestone for NHPC and India's renewable energy industry. With all four units now tested and ready for commissioning, the project will provide significant clean energy, foster local development, and consolidate NHPC's leadership in hydropower generation. The forthcoming commercial operation of Unit 4 will bring the project's journey from a troublesome construction phase to being a significant contributor to India's green energy future.
Sources: News Riveting, Energetica India, Economic Times, Equity Bulls, Water Power Magazine
