NHPC Ltd has successfully completed the trial run for Unit 2 (200 MW) of the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh. The company plans to complete trial runs for the remaining three units by March 31, 2025.

The Parbati-II project, with a total capacity of 800 MW (four units of 200 MW each), has faced significant delays since its inception in 2003. Originally slated for commissioning in 2010, the project encountered multiple challenges, including tunneling difficulties, water and silt seepage, flash floods, and adverse geological conditions.

Despite these setbacks, the successful trial of Unit 2 marks a crucial step toward the project's full operational status. Once all four units are commissioned, the Parbati-II project is expected to generate over 3,074 million units (MU) of electricity annually, significantly boosting India's renewable energy capacity. Additionally, the project is anticipated to mitigate flood risks along the Parbati River, benefiting areas from Barshaini in the Manikaran Valley to Bhuntar.