Hydropower Projects
Upper Piluwa Khola-2 Small Hydropower Project
Mawadin,Siddhakali (Sankhuwasabha)
The Upper Piluwa Khola‑2 Small Hydropower Project is a 4.72 MW run-of-river facility under construction in Sankhuwasabha District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Developed by Menchhiyam Hydropower Pvt. Ltd., the project utilizes the flow of the Piluwa Khola river and contributes to a combined 11 MW seasonal output alongside the neighboring Super Hewa project.
The project originally obtained its survey license in December 2015, with the generation license currently under process. It faced setbacks due to significant flood and landslide damage in June–July 2023. Reconstruction efforts were completed, and the project is expected to enter trial/live generation by March 2025.
Financing for the project was partially secured through an IPO issued between 2019 and 2021, with shareholding opportunities extended to local residents and the Nepali diaspora, managed by NIC Asia Capital. The project supports Nepal’s dry-season power supply strategy through coordinated generation in the region.
- Issue Date: 2015-12-18
- Installed Capacity : 4.72MW
- Phase : Live
Singati Khola Hydropower Project
Babare,Laduk,Lamidada (Dolakha)
The Singati Khola Hydropower Project is a 25 MW run-of-river hydroelectric plant located in Dolakha District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Developed on the Singati Khola river, the project diverts water to generate electricity and is connected to the national grid via a 132 kV single-circuit transmission line. The project area spans Babare and Lamidanda VDCs, with access roads passing through Laduk and Chilankha.
The project features an 11.3 m³/s design discharge and a total gross head of 268.05 meters. Its major infrastructure includes a 5,824-meter headrace tunnel, a 719-meter penstock pipeline, and a surface powerhouse with two Pelton turbines. Commercial operation began on July 31, 2021.
The plant generates approximately 101.868 GWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to both dry and wet season energy needs. With a project cost of NPR 2.89 billion and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.75, it demonstrates strong financial viability. The project incorporates robust hydrological and engineering features and plays a vital role in Nepal’s energy development strategy.
- Issue Date: 2016-01-14
- Installed Capacity : 25MW
- Phase : Live
Kalanga Hydropower Project
Sunkuda,Khiratadi,Banjh (Bajhang)
The Kalanga Gad Hydroelectric Project is a 15.33 MW run-of-river hydropower project located in Bajhang District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal. It is being developed by Kalanga Hydro Limited, formerly Kalanga Hydro Pvt. Ltd., under the BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer) model. The company was initially incorporated in December 2007 as a private limited company and later converted into a public limited company on July 14, 2021, to enable public investment.
The project features a 3,468-meter headrace tunnel, a 354-meter penstock, a surface powerhouse, and a surge shaft with a 6.8-meter diameter and 18.75-meter height. Civil construction components like headworks, tunnel excavation, and surge shaft are completed, with the powerhouse at 95% completion as of the last update. The project contributes to decentralized energy access in the far-western region and is expected to supply clean energy to the national grid once operational.
- Issue Date: 2016-03-27
- Installed Capacity : 15.33MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River
Upper Kalangad Hydropower Project
Dahabagar,Khiratadi (Bajhang)
The Upper Kalanga Gad Hydroelectric Project is a 38.46 MW run-of-river hydropower facility located in Bajhang District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal. Developed by Sanigad Hydro Private Limited, the project was commissioned on February 18, 2023, and operates under a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Harnessing a design discharge of 8 m³/s and a gross head of 585.50 meters, the project’s infrastructure includes a 7,811-meter-long headrace tunnel, a 1,200-meter penstock, and a vertical surge shaft of 154.52 meters in height. The powerhouse, nearly fully completed, measures 51.3m × 21.1m × 17.5m and houses all generating units.
With over 29,000 m³ of concrete used and more than 2,500 tons of reinforcement installed, the project reflects significant engineering scale. It contributes substantially to Nepal’s electricity generation capacity and supports energy access in remote far-western Nepal.
- Issue Date: 2016-03-27
- Installed Capacity : 38.46MW
- Phase : Live
Lower Likhu Hydropower Project
Tarkerabari,Yasam,Gamanamatar (Okhaldhunga) Bijulikot,Gothgau (Ramechhap)
Lower Likhu Hydropower Project (LLHP) is a run-of-river (RoR) hydropower project with an installed capacity of 28.1 MW. The entire project area (headworks to power house) is located at Sirise, Saipu and Bijulikot VDCs of Ramechhap District, Central Development Region of Nepal.
Geographically, the project lies between 86˚ 14’ 58” E to 86˚ 13’ 17” E and 27˚ 25’ 50” N to 27˚ 22’ 47” N. The project’s headworks is located at the right bank of Likhu Khola, Sirise Village of Sirise VDC at some 200m upstream from the confluence of Pokali and Likhu Khola. Whereas, power house is located at the right bank of Likhu khola, Ratamata. The latitude and longitude of powerhouse is 27˚ 23’ 27” N and 86˚ 13’ 44” E respectively.
The generated power of 28.1 MW will be evacuated through approximately 23 km of transmission line and will be connected to Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) at Nepal Electricity Authority’s proposed New Khimti Substation at Devitar.
- Issue Date: 2016-04-10
- Installed Capacity : 28.1MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run of River