Hydropower Projects
Nyadi Khola Hydropower Project
Bahundada,Bhulbhule (Lamjung)
The Nyadi Khola Hydropower Project is a 30 MW run-of-river facility located in Lamjung District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Developed on the Nyadi River, the project features a gross head of 328 m and a design flow of 11.08 m³/s. It includes advanced hydraulic structures such as a 3937 m inverted D-shaped headrace tunnel, a vertical underground surge shaft, and dual Pelton turbines rated at 16,063 kW each. The powerhouse is a surface type structure, and electricity is transmitted through a 132 kV double-circuit steel lattice tower system, extending 9 km.
The project generates an average of 172.14 GWh annually, with 29.15 GWh in the dry season and 147.43 GWh in the wet season. Key infrastructure includes a 17 m long diversion weir, D-shaped intake and settling structures, and a 13.5 km access road network. It also integrates a tailrace tapping system for efficiency. The project is technically advanced with high turbine and generator efficiency, and operates with a 99% transformer efficiency at a voltage ratio of 11/132 kV. It was designed with a 4-year construction timeline and serves as a model of mid-sized hydropower development in Nepal.
- Issue Date: 2013-02-14
- Installed Capacity : 30MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : 30
Lower Tadi Hydropower Project
Balkumari,Samundratar,Sundaradevi,Thaprek (Nuwakot)
The Lower Tadi Khola Hydropower Project is a 4.993 MW (commonly rounded to 5 MW) run-of-river plant located in the Nuwakot District of the Central Region, Nepal. Developed by Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Co. Pvt. Ltd., the project utilizes the flow of the Tadi Khola with a design discharge of 6.88 m³/s and a net head of 87.78 meters. The plant was commissioned and began commercial operation on March 24, 2022.
The project infrastructure includes an overflow-type diversion weir with undersluices, a Dufour-type desilting basin, a 40-meter rectangular RCC approach canal, and a 3,000-meter-long steel headrace pipe. After bifurcation, two 15-meter pipes (Ø1.85 m) lead to a surface powerhouse with two horizontal-axis Francis turbines. A 3 km, 33 kV single-circuit transmission line connects the plant to the NEA substation at Samundratar.
Estimated to generate 32.119 GWh annually (7.442 GWh in dry and 24.677 GWh in wet seasons), the project is financed on a 65:35 debt–equity ratio and cost NPR 1.19 billion. The generation license is valid until 2104-12-26 BS. Originally incorporated in 2007 as a private company, it was converted to a public limited company in 2017.
- Issue Date: 2013-04-08
- Installed Capacity : 4.993MW
- Phase : Live
Gelun Khola Hydropower Project
Baramchi,Hagam,Jalbire (Sindhupalchok)
The Gelun Khola Hydropower Project is a small-scale run-of-river project located in the Sindhupalchok District of Bagmati Province, Nepal. Developed by Gelun Khola Hydropower Company Pvt. Ltd., the project has an installed capacity of 3.2 MW and is designed to harness the high head of the Gelun Khola river with a relatively small design discharge of 0.51 m³/s. The project covers areas such as Baramchi, Hagam, and Jalbire.
With a gross head of approximately 733 meters, the plant is expected to generate around 12–16 GWh annually, operating at a projected plant load factor (PLF) of 50–60%. As of the latest updates, construction was ongoing (as of May 20, 2013), and while the survey license was issued on 2070‑02‑06 BS, the generation license was still pending. The project held a public IPO in April 2017, distributing 2.25 million shares among locals and the general public.
Although detailed information on transmission infrastructure and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) terms is not publicly disclosed, it is expected to connect to the NEA grid. The project reflects a model of high-head, low-flow micro-generation suitable for Nepal’s mountainous terrain.
- Issue Date: 2013-05-20
- Installed Capacity : 3.2MW
- Phase : Live
Middle Modi
Deupurkot,Tilahar (Parbat)
The Middle Modi Hydropower Project is an 18 MW run-of-river facility located on the Modi Khola in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Developed by Middle Modi Hydropower Limited, a subsidiary of Himal Hydro and joint venture partners, the project spans Birethanti in Annapurna Rural Municipality–3 (Kaski District) and Modi Rural Municipality–2 (Parbat District). Utilizing a design discharge of 25 m³/s and a gross head of approximately 72.9 meters, the project operates with two 9 MW horizontal-axis Francis turbines.
Key infrastructure includes a 2,840-meter headrace tunnel and a 147-meter steel penstock. The generated power is evacuated via a 4 km, 132 kV single-circuit transmission line connecting to the NEA's Modi Substation at Patichur. Construction began in December 2014, and the plant entered commercial operation in late December 2022 to early January 2023 after a short test run. Annual net generation is estimated at 79.1 GWh.
The project is financed through a 70% loan from a NIFRA-member consortium, with the remaining equity funded by Himal Hydro and partners. A power purchase agreement (PPA) with NEA ensures seasonal tariff rates of approximately NPR 4.8/kWh (wet) and NPR 8.4/kWh (dry). As part of a cascade of projects on the Modi Khola, it operates under increasing scrutiny for ecological compliance, particularly dry-season flow.
- Issue Date: 2013-06-25
- Installed Capacity : 18MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River
Kabeli B - 1 Hydropower Project
Nagi,Tharpu (Panchthar)
The Kabeli B-1 Hydropower Project is a 25 MW run-of-river hydropower plant situated on the Kabeli River, spanning Panchthar and Taplejung districts in Province No. 1, Nepal. Developed and operated by Arun Kabeli Power Limited (a subsidiary of Arun Valley Hydropower Development Company), the project features two 12.5 MW horizontal Francis turbines. It was commissioned in November 2019 and transmits power through a 132 kV Mechi Corridor Transmission Line connecting Damak to Amarpur.
The project operates with a gross head of 93.7 meters and a design discharge of 25 m³/s. Infrastructure includes a 286-meter steel penstock with a diameter ranging from 3.75 to 4.5 meters, a 140-meter-long settling basin, and a vertical cylindrical concrete surge tank.
Financial closure was achieved in February 2015 with loans totaling NPR 2.8 billion from a consortium led by Nepal Investment Bank. The project cost is estimated at NPR 4 billion, including NPR 1.2 billion in equity. Power generated is sold under a Power Purchase Agreement signed with the Nepal Electricity Authority in 2010. After temporary suspension due to flood damage, the plant resumed operations in January 2024.
- Issue Date: 2013-07-12
- Installed Capacity : 25MW
- Phase : Live
Lower Hewa Hydropower Project
Bharapa,Nangeen,Phidim (Panchthar)
The Lower Hewa Khola Hydropower Project is a 22.1 MW run-of-river hydropower plant located in Panchthar District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Developed by Mountain Hydro Nepal Pvt. Ltd., the project utilizes flows from the Hewa Khola and Pheme Khola rivers. It operates with a gross head of 178.09 meters and a design discharge of 14.838 m³/s at 40% exceedance probability.
The project infrastructure includes a concrete weir and side intake on Hewa Khola, a boulder rip-rap intake on Pheme Khola, and an extensive waterways system totaling approximately 6,039 meters, including approach canals, settling basins, headrace tunnels, penstock, and tailrace. The headrace tunnel from Hewa intake is approximately 1,296 meters, with a combined main tunnel length of 3,997 meters.
Power generated is transmitted via a 5 km, 132 kV line to the Phidim Substation along the Kabeli corridor, with temporary evacuation over a 33 kV line during corridor delays. The project began commercial operation on August 6, 2019, and has an annual energy generation estimate of 116.26 GWh with a plant capacity factor of about 61%.
Financing involved NPR 4.531 billion in project costs, including 24% cost overruns, supported by a 67% debt-equity ratio with equity raised through IPO and promoters. The power purchase agreement includes tariffs of Rs 4.8/kWh in the wet season and Rs 8.4/kWh in the dry season, with a 3% escalation over five years.
Operations were temporarily halted in June 2023 due to flood and landslide damage, resulting in estimated losses of NPR 1 billion.
- Issue Date: 2013-07-24
- Installed Capacity : 22.1MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River