NHPC Restores 340 MW Capacity at Teesta-V Power Station in Sikkim

State-run hydropower major NHPC Limited has successfully brought two of the three generating units at its flood-hit Teesta-V Power Station back into commercial operation, marking a significant step in the plant's long-awaited revival.

GANGTOK – NHPC Limited has officially resumed commercial power generation from two units of its 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station in Sikkim, restoring 340 MW of generation capacity to the national grid. The development comes nearly three years after the hydropower facility was forced offline following catastrophic natural disasters.

A Major Operational Milestone

According to a regulatory filing by the company, Unit#1 and Unit#2—each with a capacity of 170 MW—successfully synchronized with the national grid on July 12, 2026, and commenced commercial electricity generation at 5:00 PM on July 13, 2026.

The restoration of these two units is part of a broader, large-scale rebuilding effort at the Teesta-V project. The station had been non-operational for two consecutive financial years due to severe damage caused by back-to-back environmental events.

Overcoming Successive Disasters

The Teesta-V Power Station, a run-of-river scheme commissioned in 2008, faced its first major setback on the night of October 3–4, 2023, when a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) triggered by the breach of South Lhonak Lake caused widespread destruction in Sikkim. The flood event, which also destroyed the upstream Teesta-III dam, resulted in estimated damages of approximately ₹1,075.97 crore to the Teesta-V facility.

Further complicating recovery efforts, a landslide on August 20, 2024, damaged the Tail Race Tunnel (TRT) outlet structure, adding an estimated ₹327.67 crore in damages and delaying the return of the plant to service.

Restoration on a War Footing

NHPC management has prioritized the rebuilding of this flagship station through multiple civil and hydro-mechanical work packages. In the days leading up to the restart, the power station reached several key milestones:

• GIS Inauguration: On July 11, 2026, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Diwakar Nath Mishra, and NHPC Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Bhupendra Gupta inaugurated a newly constructed Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) at the site.

• Safety and Excellence: During a recent site visit, CMD Bhupendra Gupta reviewed the remaining balance works and directed the project team to expedite the restoration of the third unit while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Official Sources

The information regarding the resumption of generation was disclosed to the BSE and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on July 13, 2026, in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Quote Section

According to officials, the successful synchronization marks a pivotal moment for the company's clean energy infrastructure. NHPC leadership has expressed confidence that the Teesta-V Power Station will return to its role as a key contributor to reliable, green hydroelectric power in the region, with the status of the final unit (Unit#3) to be intimated to stakeholders in due course.

Why It Matters

For NHPC, the partial revival of the 510 MW Teesta-V station is crucial to improving the company’s overall plant availability factor. The station’s prolonged downtime had acted as a drag on generation metrics for the past two fiscal years. Restoring 340 MW of capacity not only bolsters regional grid stability but also reinforces the company's long-term operational and financial recovery goals.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Power Station: Teesta-V Power Station (510 MW total capacity).

• Capacity Restored: 340 MW (Two units of 170 MW each).

• Restart Date: Commercial generation resumed July 13, 2026.

• Location: Sikkim, India.

FAQ

Is the entire power station operational? No, currently two of the three 170 MW units are operational. The status of the third unit will be shared by NHPC in due course.

Why was the station out of service for so long? The station was severely damaged by a GLOF event in October 2023 and a subsequent landslide affecting the tail race tunnel in August 2024.

What is the significance of the newly installed GIS? The Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) is a critical component of the power station's electrical infrastructure, recently upgraded to ensure safe and efficient power transmission.

Source: NHPC Limited - Teesta-V Project Overview, BSE India (Company Filings), NSE India (Company Filings)