NHPC fully commissions 800 MW Parbati-II in Himachal
22 Apr 2025
2 Min Read
CW Team
NHPC Ltd has fully commissioned the 800 MW Parbati Hydroelectric Project Stage-II in Himachal Pradesh, with the final 200 MW unit going live on April 16. The first three units began commercial operations on April 1.
The run-of-the-river project in Kullu features a concrete gravity dam near Pulga village and a 31.56 km head race tunnel—India’s longest—to channel water to a powerhouse in Sainj valley. Power is generated using four Pelton turbines of 200 MW each, harnessing a gross head of 863 metres.
The plant also includes two inclined pressure shafts of 1,545.5 metres each—the world’s longest built using tunnel boring machines. Water from five local nallahs further supports power generation.
Himachal Pradesh will receive 12 per cent of the generated power free of cost and another 1 per cent for local development. The plant is designed to generate 3,074 MUs annually and boost the nearby 520 MW Parbati-III’s output by 1,262 MUs.
Work on Parbati-II began in 1999 but was delayed due to tough terrain, flash floods, and cost escalations. The final project cost stands at Rs 130 billion, up from an initial Rs 39.19 billion.
As part of the project, NHPC built 15 bridges and 88 km of roads, and allocated Rs 1.12 billion for local development and Rs 278.3 million under CSR. It also supported 370 affected families, provided 20 permanent jobs, and helped run a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sainj for 422 students�411 of whom are locals.
With this commissioning, NHPC’s total installed capacity rises to 8,140.04 MW, including 7,771.20 MW from 23 hydro plants and 368.84 MW from solar and wind projects.
NHPC Ltd has fully commissioned the 800 MW Parbati Hydroelectric Project Stage-II in Himachal Pradesh, with the final 200 MW unit going live on April 16. The first three units began commercial operations on April 1.
The run-of-the-river project in Kullu features a concrete gravity dam near Pulga village and a 31.56 km head race tunnel—India’s longest—to channel water to a powerhouse in Sainj valley. Power is generated using four Pelton turbines of 200 MW each, harnessing a gross head of 863 metres.
The plant also includes two inclined pressure shafts of 1,545.5 metres each—the world’s longest built using tunnel boring machines. Water from five local nallahs further supports power generation.
Himachal Pradesh will receive 12 per cent of the generated power free of cost and another 1 per cent for local development. The plant is designed to generate 3,074 MUs annually and boost the nearby 520 MW Parbati-III’s output by 1,262 MUs.
Work on Parbati-II began in 1999 but was delayed due to tough terrain, flash floods, and cost escalations. The final project cost stands at Rs 130 billion, up from an initial Rs 39.19 billion.
As part of the project, NHPC built 15 bridges and 88 km of roads, and allocated Rs 1.12 billion for local development and Rs 278.3 million under CSR. It also supported 370 affected families, provided 20 permanent jobs, and helped run a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sainj for 422 students�411 of whom are locals.
With this commissioning, NHPC’s total installed capacity rises to 8,140.04 MW, including 7,771.20 MW from 23 hydro plants and 368.84 MW from solar and wind projects.
Next Story
HCL-Foxconn to invest Rs 37 billion in chip plant near Jewar airport
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new semiconductor unit near Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission. This sixth plant, a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, marks further progress in India’s semiconductor journey. The project will see an investment of Rs 37 billion.The facility will produce display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, PCs, and other digital devices. It is designed for a monthly capacity of 20,000 wafers and an output of 36 million units.Five semiconductor units are already in advanced stages of constructi..
Next Story
Brigade acquires Velachery land for Rs 16-billion project
Brigade Enterprises has acquired a 5.41-acre land parcel on Velachery Road, Chennai, through an outright purchase for Rs 4.417 billion. Located next to Phoenix Market City, the site will be developed into a premium residential project with a gross development value of approximately Rs 16 billion and a development potential of 0.8 million square feet.The project offers strategic access to both the OMR IT Corridor and Chennai’s Central Business District, promising strong connectivity and premium lifestyle offerings. Brigade plans to create signature residences focused on aesthetics, functional..
Next Story
Liebherr marks 10,000th XPower wheel loader milestone
Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen has rolled out its 10,000th XPower wheel loader, marking a major production milestone. The anniversary L 580 XPower model, featuring a power-split travel drive developed with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, was handed over to the BERGER Group in Passau.“The transmission from our partner ZF is a key component of the drivetrain in our XPower wheel loaders,� said Gerhard Pirnbacher, Head of Quality Management at Liebherr. “With an impressive total of around 64 million operating hours already clocked up by XPower models, this transmission has proven its exceptional robustn..