Hydropower Projects

Khimti 1 Hydropower Project

Sahure,Hawa (Dolakha) Betali (Ramechhap)

Khimti I Hydropower Plant is built with private sector funding as a “BOOT” agreement (Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer) with GON. Construction commenced on 26th June 1996 and Commercial Operation commenced on 11th July 2000. Himal Power Limited operates the plant and sells electricity to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The plant will be transferred to GON at the end of the 50 year license period. At the end of the first Power Purchase Agreement NEA will purchase a 50% share in the Khimti Power Plant for a nominal fee. The Khimti I Hydropower Project site is located in the Janakpur Zone, Central Development Region, some 100 km east of the Kathmandu. Khimti Khola forms the boundary between Ramechhap and Dolakha Districts. Access to the site is by the existing Jiri road 175 kilometres from Kathmandu.

Commercial Operation Date : 2000-07-11
Installed Capacity : 60MW
Phase : Live
Type : Run-of-River

Devighat Hydropower Station

Battar, Nuwakot

The Devighat Hydropower Station is a run-of-river cascade project located in Nuwakot District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Commissioned in 1984, it utilizes water from the tailrace of the Trishuli Hydropower Station to generate electricity with an installed capacity of 14.1 MW. The project features three vertical Francis turbines, each rated approximately 4.7 MW. Water is conveyed through a 2.47 km headrace pipe and canal system before reaching the surface powerhouse. The plant operates at a gross head of 40.5 meters and an average annual discharge of 45.3 m³/s. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Devighat contributes significantly to Nepal's hydropower capacity, generating around 105 GWh annually. It underwent a major overhaul in 2011 to improve operational efficiency. The facility operates on a 66 kV transmission line feeding into the national grid and does not have an independent Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Commercial Operation Date : 1984-12-01
Installed Capacity : 14.1MW
Phase : Live
Type : Cascade of Trishuli Hydro Power Station

Sunkoshi Hydropower Station

Sindhupalchok

The Sun Koshi Hydropower Station is a run-of-river daily-pondage hydroelectric plant located in Sindhupalchok District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Commissioned in 1972, it harnesses water from the Sun Koshi River with a catchment area of approximately 4,812 km². The plant has an installed capacity of 10.05 MW, delivered by three Francis-type turbines each rated at 3.35 MW. Water is diverted through a lateral intake with under-sluice gates and conveyed via a canal to a settling basin, followed by penstocks feeding the surface powerhouse. The design discharge is around 39.9 m³/s. The plant’s annual energy generation averages about 70 GWh, with higher production during the monsoon and reduced output in the dry season. The facility is owned and operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and is a significant contributor to the regional grid.

Commercial Operation Date : 1972-04-13
Installed Capacity : 10.05MW
Phase : Live
Type : Run-of River

Tinau Hydropower

Dovan, Palpa

The Tinau Hydropower Plant is a small run-of-river hydroelectric project located in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal. Situated along the Tinau River basin, the project was originally commissioned in 1978 but was recommissioned in 1983 following flood damage. It has an installed capacity of 1.024 MW generated by two 250 kW and one 500 kW horizontal Francis turbines. The plant operates with a gravity weir diversion dam measuring 63 meters in length and 10 meters in height. Water is conveyed through a 2.462 km headrace tunnel to a semi-underground surface powerhouse. The project supports local grid supply and was transferred to Nepal Electricity Authority after license expiry around 1980. Its design flow is approximately 2.5 m³/s, with a catchment area of roughly 1,081 km² extending to the Indo-Nepal border. The facility includes an underground desilting intake chamber and a penstock 50 meters long. Tinau Hydropower serves as a modest yet important renewable energy source within the Lumbini region.

Commercial Operation Date : 1981-04-13
Installed Capacity : 1.024MW
Phase : Live
Type : Run-of- River

Seti Hydropower Project

Nadipur, Pokhara

The Seti Hydropower Station, located in Kaski District of Gandaki Province, Nepal, is a run-of-river hydropower plant that operates in conjunction with a dual-purpose canal system providing both power generation and irrigation. Commissioned in November 1985, the plant has an installed capacity of 1.5 MW, consisting of three horizontal Francis turbines rated at 0.5 MW each. The plant operates with a gross and net head of approximately 22.5 meters and draws water from a gravity weir on the Seti Gandaki River. The total length of waterways including headrace pipes and canals is approximately 7.7 km, with a penstock length of about 90 meters. Owned and operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the station generates around 10–11 GWh annually, with seasonal variability reflecting irrigation water usage. Power is transmitted via an 11 kV line integrated into the national grid. The project plays a vital role in supporting local irrigation needs alongside power production, highlighting its multi-functional utility.

Commercial Operation Date : 1985-11-01
Installed Capacity : 1.5MW
Phase : Live
Type : Run-of-River

Marsyangdi Hydropower Station

Tanahu

Marsyangdi Hydropower Station is a peaking run-of-river hydropower project located in Tanahun District, Bagmati Province, Nepal, situated on the right bank of the Marsyangdi River near Aanbu Khaireni VDC. Commissioned in 1989, the plant has an installed capacity of 69 MW generated by three vertical Francis turbines rated at 26 MW each. The project features a 7.2 km concrete-lined headrace tunnel and steel-lined penstocks supplying water from a concrete weir diversion dam. The plant uses a maximum gross head of 90.5 meters with an average annual river discharge of 210 m³/s and a daily pondage volume of approximately 1.5 million cubic meters. Energy generated (approximately 462.5 GWh annually) contributes around 10.67% to Nepal’s total installed power system (INPS). Power is transmitted over a 132 kV line spanning 108 km linking Balaju and Bharatpur substations. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Marsyangdi is one of Nepal’s major hydropower assets supporting the national grid with peaking capabilities.

Commercial Operation Date : 1989-11-05
Installed Capacity : 69MW
Phase : Live
Type : Peaking Run-of-River

Kulekhani 1 Hydropower Station

Dhorsing, Makwanpur

The Kulekhani Hydropower Project is Nepal’s only reservoir-based hydropower system, located on the Kulekhani River in Indrasarowar Rural Municipality, Makwanpur District, Bagmati Province. It comprises three plants—Kulekhani I (60 MW), Kulekhani II (32 MW), and Kulekhani III (14 MW)—totalling an installed capacity of 106 MW. Developed and operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the project uses water from the 114 m high Kulekhani Dam, which creates the Indra Sarobar Reservoir with a total storage capacity of 85.3 million m³. Kulekhani I, commissioned in 1982, is powered by two 30 MW Pelton turbines using a 550 m net head via a 5.8 km tunnel and 1.34 km penstock. Kulekhani II, a cascade plant, was commissioned in 1986. Kulekhani III, a 14 MW extension, faced commissioning delays beyond the planned 2015 COD. The US$117.84 million investment was co-financed by the World Bank, Kuwait Fund, UNDP, OECF (Japan), and the OPEC Fund. It operates under a public model, owned by NEA. This unique storage-based project enhances dry-season grid reliability and exemplifies multi-donor financing in Nepal’s hydropower development

Commercial Operation Date : 1982-05-04
Installed Capacity : 60MW
Phase : Live
Type : Storage

Trishuli Hydropower Station

Trishuli, Nuwakot

The Trishuli Hydropower Station is a peaking run-of-river hydropower plant located in Nuwakot District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Commissioned in 1967 and upgraded to 24 MW capacity in 1995, it draws water from the Trishuli River via a gravity dam and operates with a balancing reservoir. The project is part of a cascade system, feeding into the downstream Devighat Hydropower Station. It features seven horizontal Francis turbines with a combined rated capacity of 24 MW and an annual design energy generation of approximately 163 GWh. The facility’s infrastructure includes a gravity diversion dam, a headrace tunnel nearly 3.7 km long, steel-lined penstocks, and a surface powerhouse. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the station is currently undergoing modernization and rehabilitation works during 2024–25 to improve its performance and peaking operations. The project contributes significantly to Nepal’s hydropower supply with a 66 kV transmission line connecting it to the grid.

Commercial Operation Date : 1967-04-14
Installed Capacity : 24MW
Phase : Live
Type : Peaking Run-of River

Gandak Hydropower Station

Surajpura, Nawalparasi

The Gandak Hydropower Station is a canal-based run-of-river hydroelectric project located in Nawalparasi District, Narayani Province, Nepal. The plant utilizes the western irrigation canal of the Indo-Nepal Gandak Barrage on the Narayani River to generate electricity with a gross head of approximately 6 meters. Commissioned in April 1979 and handed over to Nepal in 1981, the project has an installed capacity of 15 MW distributed over three Kaplan turbines (5 MW each). It operates with daily peaking capability integrated into the irrigation system, generating approximately 106 GWh annually. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the project supports domestic energy demand and exports power to India via cross-border transmission lines. Renovations to upgrade electromechanical equipment are ongoing since 2022. Power generation is dependent on canal water availability, with scheduled canal closures twice per year for maintenance. The project exemplifies multi-purpose water resource use by combining irrigation and hydropower benefits under the Gandak River Agreement.

Commercial Operation Date : 1979-04-01
Installed Capacity : 15MW
Phase : Live
Type : Canal Drop

Panauti Hydropower Station

Panauti, Khopasi

The Panauti Hydropower Station, situated in Kavre District of Bagmati Province, Nepal, is a run-of-river peaking hydropower plant on the Roshi Khola River. Commissioned in 1965 and modernized in 2018–19 with upgrades to the switchyard, protection systems, and substation, it has an installed capacity of 2.4 MW (3 horizontal Francis turbines, each rated 0.85 MW). The project features a 3.7 km open canal system serving dual purposes of hydropower generation and irrigation/drinking water supply, with priority often given to irrigation. The plant operates mainly with two turbines while the third is on standby. The live storage volume is approximately 50,000 m³, providing limited pondage to support peaking. Electricity generated is transmitted via a 33 kV single circuit line approximately 20 km long. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the station contributed an estimated 6.97 GWh annually in design but generated about 3.25 GWh in fiscal year 2021/22, with a cumulative total of around 144 GWh.

Commercial Operation Date : 1965-04-13
Installed Capacity : 2.4MW
Phase : Live
Type : Run-of-River

Tatopani Small Hydropower Project

Annapurna, Myagdi

Tatopani Hydropower Station is a small run-of-river hydropower project located in Myagdi District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Commissioned on December 21, 1994 (6th Poush 2051 BS), the plant harnesses the flow of the Tatopani River through a gravity diversion dam. The project has an installed capacity of 2.0 MW and is owned and operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). It contributes to Nepal’s grid with a generation license valid until 2101-11-30 BS. Although catchment area and detailed hydrological data at the intake and powerhouse are not publicly specified, the plant continues to provide clean and reliable electricity to the region. The facility is part of NEA’s network of run-of-river projects supporting local energy demands in western Nepal.

Commercial Operation Date : 1988-04-13
Installed Capacity : 2MW
Phase : Live
Type : Run-of-River

Kulekhani II Hydropower Station

Bhainse, Makawanpur

Kulekhani-II Hydropower Station, located at Nibuwatar, Makwanpur, is a cascade of Kulekhani-I with the installed capacity of 32 MW and annual design generation of 104.6 GWh. It was commissioned in 1986 AD and developed in assistance from OCEF Japan and Government of Nepal at a cost of NRs. 124 million. The Plant has faithfully cascaded the generation of Kulekhani-I while also boosted with water intake from Mandu and Rapti pumping. Every year Mandu intake is cleaned after the wet season to allow the filtered water to the intake pond. A survey was carried out to explore the possibility of the addition of Mandu and Rapti in an extensive scale such that one unit could run while Kulekhani-I is not operated for storage of water.

Commercial Operation Date : 1986-11-01
Installed Capacity : 32MW
Phase : Live
Type : Cascade of Kulekhani I