NHPC lowers 673 MT rotor at Subansiri Lower project

NHPC Limited (NHPC) lowered the 673 MT generator rotor of Unit 5 at its 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project into the generator pit on March 1, 2026, at 11:00 hrs. The company stated that this is the heaviest equipment component ever handled at a hydroelectric power plant in India.

The lowering operation was executed by GE Vernova and required coordinated planning and precision engineering across all stakeholders. The placement of the rotor marks a key milestone in the electro-mechanical erection works for Unit 5. It enables the start of boxing-up activities, which are expected to accelerate the unit’s testing and commissioning schedule.

Rajendra Prasad, Executive Director and Head of the Subansiri Lower Project, congratulated the project team and GE Vernova for completing the activity.

With Unit 5 progressing toward commissioning, NHPC is set to operationalise five of the project’s eight units, representing a combined installed capacity of 1,250 MW. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is designed with eight units of 250 MW each, aggregating to 2,000 MW. The project, located in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, is classified as one of national importance.

NHPC also achieved two operational milestones at the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project during the intervening night of 31 January and 1 February 2026.