Hydropower Projects
Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project
Bulung,Gauri Sankar,Khare,Lamabagar,Sunakhani,Sundrawati (Dolakha)
The Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is Nepal’s largest peaking run-of-river hydropower plant with an installed capacity of 456 MW, located in Dolakha District, Bagmati Province. The project harnesses the flow of the Tamakoshi River, featuring six generating units and an extensive infrastructure including an 8.4 km headrace tunnel and a 1,134 m long penstock system. With a gross head of 822 meters and a design discharge of 66 m³/s, it generates an estimated annual energy of 2,281 GWh. The facility includes a 22 m high diversion dam, two settling basins, and a 2.9 km tailrace tunnel. The underground powerhouse measures 142 m by 13 m by 25 m. The generated power is transmitted via a 47 km 220 kV double circuit line connecting Gongar to the Khimti Substation. Developed over six years with a construction cost of approximately USD 441 million, the project plays a critical role in Nepal’s energy sector, enhancing grid reliability and contributing significantly to the country’s electricity supply.
- Issue Date: 2010-12-03
- Installed Capacity : 456 MWMW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River
Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project
Dandagoun,Laharepouwa,Thulogoun,Ramche (Rasuwa)
The Upper Trisuli Hydropower Project, also known as Upper Trisuli 3A, is a 60 MW run-of-river hydropower facility located across Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts in Bagmati Province, Nepal. It harnesses the flow from the Trisuli River, featuring two units of 30 MW each. The project was completed and became fully operational in 2019, with the first unit connected in May and the second in August. Key infrastructure includes a 4,095-meter long concrete and shortcrete-lined headrace tunnel, an underground powerhouse near Simle village, and a 48 km 220 kV double-circuit transmission line connecting to the Matatirtha substation in Kathmandu. The project is developed and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), which also owns the power purchase agreement for the generated electricity. With a design discharge of 51 m³/s and gross head of 144.5 m, the plant generates an average annual net energy of approximately 460 GWh. The total project cost was estimated at about USD 125.8 million, including new access roads and infrastructure upgrades. The facility is an important part of Nepal’s power infrastructure, contributing significantly to the national grid.
- Issue Date: 2011-02-27
- Installed Capacity : 60MW
- Phase : Live
Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower Project
Kota,Bokhim,Bhojpur (Bhojpur)
The Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower Project is a 5 MW run-of-river hydropower plant located in Bhojpur District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Operational since June 10, 2019 (2076-02-27 BS), the project harnesses the flow of the Pikhuwa River with a gross head of approximately 119.3 meters and a design discharge of 5.60 cubic meters per second. It employs a gravity dam/weir for water diversion and features a conventional two-chamber settling basin. The power is connected to Nepal’s national grid and sold under a Power Purchase Agreement with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Developed by Eastern Hydropower Private Limited, now a public limited company since 2017, the project was partially financed through an IPO raising NPR 124 million. The project follows a BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) model, with license expiry expected in December 2025, after which ownership transfers to the government. Environmental and forestry permits have been secured, ensuring compliance with regulations. The estimated project cost was approximately NPR 1.30 billion (~USD 10 million).
- Issue Date: 2011-03-26
- Installed Capacity : 5MW
- Phase : Live
Dordi Khola Hydropower Project
Archalbot,Chiti,Dhodeni,Nauthar,Shree Banjyang,Udipur (Lamjung)
The Dordi Khola Hydroelectric Project is a 27 MW run-of-river facility located in Lamjung District, Nepal. It draws water from the Dordi River, with a catchment area of 277 km² and utilizes a gross head of 214 meters and a design flow of 15.28 m³/s. The project includes a free-flow ogee-type weir with a crest elevation of 764.25 masl and side intake structure (4.75 m × 4.0 m), leading to two settling basins and a 2.662 km inverted D-shaped concrete-lined headrace tunnel.
The powerhouse is surface type (52.2 m x 17.0 m x 35.1 m) and is equipped with three horizontal-axis Francis turbines (each 9 MW) and three synchronous generators (10,590 kVA each). Power is evacuated via a 1.2 km, 132 kV transmission line to the Udipur hub. The plant is expected to generate 142.75 GWh annually, including 21.55 GWh in the dry season and 121.20 GWh in the wet season. The project showcases robust infrastructure and contributes significantly to Nepal's renewable energy supply.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2017-06-15
- Installed Capacity : 27MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River
Mristi Khola Hydropower Project
Dana,Narchyang (Myagdi)
The Mristi Khola Hydropower Project is a 42 MW run-of-river hydroelectric scheme located in Myagdi District, Western Nepal. Developed and operated by Mountain Energy Nepal Limited, the project commenced commercial operations on June 13, 2016. It harnesses the flow of the Mristi Khola, a tributary of the Kaligandaki River, utilizing a gross head of 302.75 meters. Key infrastructure includes a 29.5-meter-long concrete gravity diversion dam, an 8 m × 5 m frontal intake chamber, and a 2,270-meter inverted-D shaped headrace tunnel lined with shotcrete and concrete. The powerhouse houses three vertical-axis Pelton turbines fed via a 1,655-meter steel penstock, which bifurcates into three branches. Electricity generated is evacuated through a 4 km, 132 kV double-circuit transmission line connected to the national grid. The project produces an estimated annual energy output of 232 GWh. It plays a significant role in the regional energy supply, supporting Nepal’s renewable energy goals. The total project cost was approximately NPR 5.64 billion.
- Issue Date: 2011-11-06
- Installed Capacity : 42MW
- Phase : Live
Sanjen Hydropower Project
Chilime (Rasuwa)
The Sanjen Hydroelectric Project is a 42.5 MW cascade-type run-of-river scheme located in Chilime VDC of Rasuwa District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Developed by Sanjen Jalavidhyut Company Limited (SJCL), the project utilizes the tailwater of the Upper Sanjen Hydropower Plant as its intake. The project is designed with a gross head of 442 m and a net head of 433 m, with a combined design discharge of 11.57 m³/s, including 0.5 m³/s from the Chhupchhung stream. It features a 3.63 km D-shaped headrace tunnel, a restricted orifice surge tank (51 m high), and a 1.02 km long penstock pipeline.
Power is generated using three vertical-axis Pelton turbines (15 MW each), paired with synchronous AC generators (16.85 MVA each). The surface powerhouse evacuates electricity via a 132 kV, 1.5 km transmission line to the national grid. The project generates approximately 251.94 GWh annually, with 241.86 GWh as salable energy. It is one of Nepal’s key hydropower developments with total investment costs of NPR 5.02 billion as of December 2011. The project is part of a broader cascade system in the Trishuli River basin, enhancing regional energy output through integrated river utilization.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2015-09-01
- Installed Capacity : 42.5MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Cascade