Hydropower Projects
Upper Chaku A Hydropower Project
Marbin,Fulpingkatti (Sindhupalchok)
Chaku Khola lies in the frontier of Phulpingkatti VDC and Marming VDC. The Project area lies along the middle reach of Chaku Khola of Sindhupalchowk district of Bagmati zone in the Central Development Region of Nepal. Geographically, the project area is located in between the longitudes 85º58’06”E and latitude 27º51’32”N (at Headworks site) and 85º55’47”E and 27º 52’31”N (at Powerhouse site). Physiographically, the project area belongs to the middle mountains and lies in between 1300m to 2200m above mean sea level.
- Issue Date: 2012-02-24
- Installed Capacity : 22.2MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run Of River
Likhu-4 Hydropower Project
Ragani,Pokli (Okhaldhunga) Saibu,Bijulikot,Naga Daha,Tilpung (Ramechhap)
The Likhu-IV Hydroelectric Project is a 52.4 MW run-of-river hydropower plant located in the Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga districts of Nepal. Developed by Green Ventures (P) Ltd, the project utilizes the Likhu River with a catchment area of 655 km² at the intake and 718 km² at the powerhouse site. It operates with a gross head of 221.27 meters and a design flow of 26.7 m³/s, using two Francis turbines rated at 26.51 MW each.
Key infrastructure includes a 19-meter high concrete weir, dual side intakes, a 4,024.5-meter D-shaped concrete-lined headrace tunnel, and an open surge shaft of 55 meters. The power is generated at a surface powerhouse (61.5 m x 16.5 m x 30.8 m) and transmitted via a 22 km long, 132 kV line to the New Khimti substation. The plant also features a two-bay settling basin with 90% trap efficiency and a tailrace canal measuring 70 meters in length.
Operational and technically sound, the Likhu-IV project generates 295.83 GWh of energy annually, with 52.43 GWh during the dry season and 243.40 GWh during the wet season, contributing significantly to Nepal’s national grid.
- Issue Date: 2012-03-11
- Installed Capacity : 52.4MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run Of River
Lower Khare Hydropower Project
Bulung,Chankhu,Khare,Suriti (Dolakha)
The Lower Khare Khola Hydropower Project is an 11 MW run-of-river project located in Dolakha District of Bagmati Province, Nepal. It is developed by Universal Power Company Ltd, a subsidiary of CEDB Hydro Fund. The project harnesses the flow of the Khare Khola, a tributary of the Sunkoshi River, with a design discharge of 10.1 m³/s at Q₄₀% and a gross head of 140.5 m. Construction began around 2016 and the plant was commissioned around 2022, with trial operations beginning in the fiscal year 2076 BS (2019). The project consists of a surface powerhouse with two Francis turbines, generating approximately 62.7 GWh annually. Key infrastructure includes a 3,349 m-long steel penstock, an 18 m-long weir, and a desander structure measuring 68.5 × 8.5 × 5.5 m. Power is evacuated via a 5.3 km long 132 kV transmission line connected to the Singati Substation. The project is ISO 9001:2015 certified, with a total cost of approximately NPR 2.04 billion (~US$15 million). It operates under a generation license valid from 2069 to 2105 BS and has a signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NEA. CEDB Hydro Fund, the parent company, holds an 88% stake, exemplifying a private independent power producer (IPP) model.
- Issue Date: 2012-07-03
- Installed Capacity : 11MW
- Phase : Live
Upper Sanjen Hydropower Project
Chilime (Rasuwa)
Sanjen (Upper) Hydroelectric Project (SUHEP) is a 14.8 MW peaking run-of-river hydropower project located in Chilime V.D.C., Rasuwa District, Nepal. It harnesses water from the snow-fed Sanjen River, featuring an overflow diversion weir, undersluice, desanding basin, peaking pond, and an underground headrace tunnel 1,386 meters long. The surface powerhouse hosts three horizontal-axis Francis turbines, each rated at 5.1 MW, with synchronous generators. The project was developed by Sanjen Hydropower Company Limited and commenced commercial operations on October 8, 2023. Power generated is transmitted through a 5 km, 132 kV line connected to the Chilime Hub, linking further to the 220 kV Chilime-Trishuli transmission corridor. The project supports cascade hydropower development by feeding tailwater to the downstream Sanjen Hydroelectric Project (SHEP). The design integrates stable geological formations of schist and quartzite, ensuring underground structures are well-supported. Its technical configuration enables reliable energy supply with seasonal variation management via peaking pondage.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2011-12-05
- Installed Capacity : 14.8MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Peaking Run-of-River
Kabeli-A Hydropower Project
Ambarpur,Panchami (Panchthar) Thechambu (Taplejung)
Kabeli-A Hydroelectric Project (KAHEP) is located in Panchthar and Taplejung districts of Province 1. The project is Peaking Run-Of-River (PROR) type project with a peaking reservoir constructed by damming Kabeli River at headworks. The water from the reservoir will be diverted through a 4.5 km long tunnel into a Powerhouse located on the left bank of Tamor River generating 37.6 MW. The generated power will be evacuated through 132kV Kabeli Corridor Transmission line from the switchyard located at Powerhouse site of the project.
In the equity part of total capitalized cost of the project, majority of equity is held by Butwal Power Company Ltd. BPC owns 55.6% equity shares in Kabeli Energy Limited (KEL) with 26% direct holding and the remaining through Gurans Energy Limited, a JV investment company.
In the debt part US$ 78.6 million will be available from WB and IFC. Loan Agreement between GoN and WB was signed and US$ 40 million loan available from WB is being channelized to Kabeli-A project through Hydropower Investment and Development Company Ltd (HIDCL). US$ 38.6 million of loan will be provided by International Finance Corporation (IFC).
24 km of access road to the project sites have been constructed and upgraded by the project. Access tunnel excavation work has been completed and main tunnel excavation has been started from headworks site and completed for around 1000 m. Temporary Contractor camps and facilities at headworks and power house sites have been also been completed.
Due to the lack of progress and non-compliances issues of the Contractor, the contract has been terminated and project construction activities at site are on hold now. Recovery plan has been formulated and is being implemented.
- Issue Date: 2012-09-06
- Installed Capacity : 37.6MW
- Phase : Under Construction
- Type : Run Of River
Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project
Thuman,Timure (Rasuwa)
The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project is a run-of-river hydropower facility located in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa District, Nepal. It has an installed capacity of 111 MW and was designed to harness the water flow from the confluence of Kerung Khola and Lende Khola, near the Nepal-China (Tibet) border. The project operates with a gross head of 167.9 meters and a design discharge of 80 m³/s at Q40 exceedance. It features a 4,185-meter long headrace tunnel delivering water to an underground powerhouse sized approximately 76.3 m by 15 m by 35 m. The powerhouse contains three vertical-axis Francis turbines, each rated at 38.5 MW, connected to synchronous generators of 43.75 MVA capacity. The annual energy generation is estimated at about 613.875 GWh, with dry season generation of 84.318 GWh and wet season generation of 529.557 GWh. Power evacuation is through a 10 km double-circuit 132 kV transmission line. The project is financed through a debt-equity structure of 60:40 and is accessible via the Kathmandu–Trisuli–Somdang road.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2020-02-19
- Installed Capacity : 111MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Upper Khimti Hydropower Project
Chuchure (Ramechhap)
The Upper Khimti Hydropower Project is a 12 MW run-of-river hydropower facility located on the Khimti River in Dolakha District. Developed by Himalaya Urja Bikas Co. Pvt. Ltd, the project harnesses the river’s flow through a high-head system to generate electricity for Nepal’s national grid, contributing to the country’s growing hydropower capacity.
The project obtained its survey and generation licenses during the late 2010s and subsequently moved into the construction phase after completing financial closure and regulatory approvals. The development includes a diversion weir, headrace tunnel, powerhouse, and associated transmission infrastructure designed to evacuate electricity to the national grid.
Construction of the project progressed with civil works, installation of electro-mechanical equipment, and development of transmission connections to nearby substations. Once operational, the Upper Khimti Hydropower Project is expected to support regional electricity supply and contribute to Nepal’s strategy of expanding run-of-river hydropower generation to meet rising domestic demand.
- Issue Date: 2012-12-18
- Installed Capacity : 12MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River
Namarjun Madi Hydropower Project
Namarjung,Sildujure (Kaski)
The Namarjun Madi Hydropower Project is a run-of-river hydropower facility situated in the Western Development Region of Nepal, within Gandaki Zone, Kaski District. It utilizes the flow of the Madi River near the Namarjun and Sildujure VDCs. The project features an installed capacity of 12 MW, supplied by two vertical axis Francis turbines rated at 6,250 kW each. The plant exploits a gross head of 63 meters and harnesses an average annual energy output of about 66.34 GWh after accounting for outages. Key infrastructure includes a 44-meter-long boulder-lined diversion weir, side intake structures, a 1,248-meter RCC rectangular headrace canal, a 144-meter steel-supported penstock with a 2.9 m internal diameter, and a surface powerhouse building. Power evacuation is planned via an 18 km, 132 kV double circuit transmission line from the powerhouse to Lekhanath. The project incorporates advanced electro-hydraulic PID governors and salient pole synchronous generators with brushless excitation. It is located approximately 2 km from new approach roads with an additional 5 km upgrading planned.
- Issue Date: 2012-12-26
- Installed Capacity : 12MW
- Phase : Live
Upper Mailun Khola Hydropower Project
,Gatlang,Haku,Dandagoun (Rasuwa)
The Upper Mailun Khola Hydropower Project is a 14.3 MW run-of-river facility located in Uttargaya Rural Municipality, Rasuwa District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. The project is developed on the Mailung River by Sanima Mai Hydropower Ltd. Utilizing a gross head of 495.5 meters and a design discharge of 3.53 m³/s, the plant is equipped with two horizontal-axis Pelton turbines. Headworks are located at Rahare village, while the surface powerhouse is at Gyangsiling village. The project includes a 1736 m headrace tunnel, a 1172 m steel penstock, and is connected to the Trishuli 3B Hub Substation via an 11 km, 132 kV transmission line.
This facility generates an estimated 79.67 GWh annually (13.16 GWh dry, 66.51 GWh wet). It features robust underground hydraulic structures and a 3-phase synchronous generator system. The project has been financed under a private ownership model and supports Nepal’s goal of expanding renewable energy capacity. Its high-head, low-flow design and efficient use of infrastructure make it a significant contributor in Nepal's hydropower sector.
- Issue Date: 2013-04-01
- Installed Capacity : 14.3MW
- Phase : Live
Dordi-1 Hydropower Project
Chiti,Bansar,Dhodeni,Faleni (Lamjung)
The Dordi-1 Hydroelectric Project is a 12 MW run-of-river facility located in Lamjung District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Developed by Dordi Khola Jal Bidyut Company Ltd. (DKJBCL), the project harnesses the Dordi Khola with a design discharge of 11.36 m³/s and a gross head of 132 meters. It achieved commercial operation on October 3, 2022 (2076/08/16 BS). The project features a 26-meter-long diversion weir and twin settling basins designed to trap particles up to 0.20 mm.
The water is conveyed through a 2,520-meter headrace tunnel and a 665-meter mild steel penstock to a surface powerhouse housing two Francis turbines and synchronous brushless generators. Power is evacuated via a 3.5 km transmission line to the 132 kV Kritipur Substation. The plant generates an estimated 65.22 GWh annually, with 55.03 GWh in the wet season and 10.19 GWh in the dry season.
DKJBCL is ISO 9001:2015 certified for operation and maintenance. The total project cost is approximately NPR 2.902 billion (~USD 24 million), and it represents a strategic initiative in Nepal’s push for increased private sector investment in clean energy infrastructure.
- Issue Date: 2013-01-25
- Installed Capacity : 12MW
- Phase : Live