This paper presents the optimal redundant actuation of parallel manipulators for complicated robotic applications such as cutting grinding drilling and digging that require a high degree of operational stiffness as well as the balance between force applicability and dexterity. First by taking into account the distribution(number and location) of active joints the statics and the operational stiffness of a redundant parallel manipulator are formulated and the effects of actuation redundancy are analyzed, Second for given task requirements including joint torque limit task force maximum allowable disturbance and maximum allowable deflection the task execution conditions of a redundant parallel manipulator are derived and the efficient testing formulas are provided. Third to achieve high operational stiffness while maintaining moderate dexterity the redundant actuation of a parallel manipulator is optimized which determines the optimal distribution of active joints and the optimal internal joint torque, Finally the simulation results for the optimal redundant actuation of a planar parallel manipulator are given.