NHPC has commenced the full commercial operation of all four units of the 800 MW Parbati Hydroelectric Project, Stage-II, in Himachal Pradesh, with the final unit becoming operational on 16 April, 2025. The first three 200 MW units began operations on 01 April, 2025.

Located in the Kullu district, this run-of-the-river scheme marks a significant milestone in India’s renewable energy expansion. Constructed on the river Parbati, the project features a concrete gravity dam near Village Pulga and India’s longest Head Race Tunnel (HRT), stretching 31.56 km to a powerhouse in the Sainj valley. It utilises a gross head of 863 mtrs. between Pulga and Siund village, operating through four 200 MW Pelton turbines.

A highlight of the Parbati-II project is its two inclined pressure shafts, each 1,545.5 mtrs. long, the world’s longest of their kind excavated using Tunnel Boring Machines. Additional discharge from five local nallahs boosts water availability for power generation. The plant is designed to produce 3,074 million units annually and is expected to enhance output at the 520 MW Parbati-III Power Station by 1,262 MU annually.

NHPC has also invested heavily in local development, including building 15 bridges, 88 km of roads, and allocating Rs 112 crore for local area development and Rs 27.83 crore under CSR.

With Parbati-II operational, NHPC’s installed capacity reaches 8,140.04 MW, comprising 7,771.20 MW from 23 hydropower stations and 368.84 MW from solar and wind energy projects.