842Gwh/yr

Energy Generation

144MW

Installed Capacity

About

The Kaligandaki Hydropower Station is a 144 MW run-of-the-river plant with daily pondage located in Syangja District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Commissioned in 2002, the project harnesses the Kali Gandaki River at its confluence with the Andhikhola. It features a concrete gravity diversion dam with sluicing gates for sediment control, a 5.9 km concrete-lined headrace tunnel, and three Toshiba-manufactured Francis turbines rated at 48 MW each. The powerhouse is situated at Beltari. The plant operates with a gross head of approximately 130 meters and a net head of 115 meters, generating about 842 GWh annually. Due to the high sediment load (~43 million tons/year), the project incorporates reservoir sluicing and open surface desander basins to manage sediment-related turbine wear and cavitation. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the station was funded by several international agencies including ADB, JBIC, FINNIDA, and UNDP, with a total cost of about US$355 million. Ongoing rehabilitation focuses on turbine parts and auxiliary systems to enhance longevity and performance.

Salient Features

Hydrology ( Intake )

Catchment Area 7618km2 (Kaligandaki river) and 476km2 (Andhikhola river)
Maximum Net Head 115m
Maximum Gross Head 130m
Live Storage Volume 3.1 million m3

Waterways

Headrace Tunnel – Length 5905m
Penstock – Length 243m
Penstock -Diameter 5.25m

Turbine

Type Francis
Number of Units 3
Rated Discharge 44.86 m3/s
Rated Output 48MW

Generators

Rated Capacity 56.5MVA
Power Factor 0.85

Transformers

Number of Units 3 (56.5 MVA, 13.8/132 kV, 3 phase)
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Application for Survey License

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Survey License Approved

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Application for Generation License

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Under Construction

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Live

Location