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Hydropower Projects

mai khola

Andhi Khola Hydroelectric Center

Syangja, Gandaki

The Andhi Khola Hydropower Project is a 9.4 MW run‑of‑river facility located on the Andhi Khola River in Galyang Municipality, Syangja District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Owned and operated by Butwal Power Company Limited (BPC), the plant was initially commissioned in 1991 with a 5.1 MW capacity and later upgraded to 9.4 MW, with commercial operation of the enhanced facility commencing in April 2015. It delivers roughly 68–70 GWh annually, balancing dry‑season (circa 18 GWh) and wet‑season output. Key infrastructure includes a concrete gravity dam with Obermeyer gates, a 1,284 m fully lined inverted‑D headrace tunnel, twin 1000 mm penstocks, and an underground powerhouse housing Pelton turbines with synchronous, brushless generators. Power evacuation is via a 132/33 kV line to Nepal Electricity Authority’s Rangkhola substation. The upgrade was financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Mega Bank, demonstrating a public–private partnership model between BPC, UMN (initial developer), NEA, and private finance. The project exemplifies innovative governance—built under technical support from United Mission to Nepal (UMN)—with a license valid until 2101 BS, after which ownership will revert to the government. Additionally, it supports irrigation across nearly 600 hectares, reflecting its multi‑purpose benefit‑sharing design.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 1991-06-01
  • Installed Capacity : 9.4MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of- River
mai khola

Jhimruk Hydropower Plant

Pyuthan

The Jhimruk Khola Hydropower Station is a run-of-river hydropower project with daily pondage located in Pyuthan District, Lumbini Province, Nepal. It utilizes the flow from the Jhimruk River, transferring water via a basin diversion into the Madi River. Commissioned in August 1994 (2052-01-25 BS), the plant has an installed capacity of 12.5 MW generated by three horizontal-axis Francis turbines rated at 4 MW each. With a net head of 205 meters and a design flow of 7.05 m³/s, the facility generates approximately 72 GWh annually. The project features a 205-meter long curvilinear gravity diversion dam, a 1,000-meter headrace tunnel, and a 250-meter penstock feeding a semi-underground powerhouse located on the Madi River bank. Sediment management is critical, with two settling basins capturing about 90% of larger sediment particles and operational controls to mitigate turbine abrasion. The plant connects to the national grid via a 41 km, 132 kV double-circuit transmission line to Lamahi Substation and has contributed significantly to rural electrification in the region. Ownership is by Butwal Power Company Ltd., and the generation license is valid until 2101 BS, after which ownership is expected to transfer to the government.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 1984-08-01
  • Installed Capacity : 12.5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River with daily Pondage
mai khola

Puwa Khola Hydropower Station

Illam

The Puwa Khola Hydropower Station is a run-of-river project located in Ilam District, Koshi Province, Nepal, harnessing the flow of the Puwa Khola, a tributary of the Mai Khola River. Commissioned on April 4, 2004 (2060-12-22 BS), it has an installed capacity of 6.2 MW generated by two horizontal-axis Pelton turbines rated at approximately 3.1 MW each. The plant operates with a gross and net head of roughly 304 meters and an average design flow of 2.5 m³/s. Water is diverted via a gravity weir into a 3.2 km long headrace tunnel, feeding a steel-lined penstock of 990 meters that supplies the surface powerhouse. Electricity is stepped up from 6.6 kV to 33 kV for transmission over a 5 km single-circuit line. Owned and operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the plant contributes to Nepal's hydropower capacity and has a generation license valid until 2101 BS. The annual design energy generation is approximately 48 GWh.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2004-04-04
  • Installed Capacity : 6.2MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River
mai khola

Modikhola Hydropower Station

Dimuwa, Parbat

The Modikhola Hydropower Station is a run-of-river hydropower project situated in Parbat District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Commissioned in 2000, the plant utilizes the flow of the Modi River, a tributary of the Kali Gandaki River, to generate 14.8 MW of electricity using two vertical Francis turbines rated at 7.4 MW each. The project features a gross head of approximately 67 meters and an average annual flow of 25 m³/s. Water is diverted via a gravity weir and side intake, then conveyed through a combination of open canal and tunnel to the surface powerhouse. Key infrastructure includes a twin-chamber desanding basin, surge tank, and a steel penstock. The generated power is transmitted through a 37 km long 132 kV single-circuit transmission line. The project faces challenges due to high abrasive sediment loads, and rehabilitation efforts for sediment handling are ongoing. Owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the project received financial support from Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2000-12-01
  • Installed Capacity : 14.8MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River
mai khola

Kaligandaki A Hydropower Station

Beltari, Syangja

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.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2002-07-29
  • Installed Capacity : 144MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Peaking Run-of-River
mai khola

Upper Bhotekoshi Hydroelectric Project

Sindhupalchok

The Upper Bhote Koshi Hydroelectric Project is a 45 MW run-of-river hydropower plant situated in Sindhupalchowk District, Nepal. It harnesses the flow of the Bhote Koshi River with a net head of 134 meters and a design discharge of 36.8 cubic meters per second. The project comprises two Francis turbines rated at 22.5 MW each, and uses vertical shaft synchronous generators. The powerhouse is located in Jhirpu, Phulpingkatti, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality. The project was severely damaged by the 2015 earthquake and the 2016 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) but has since been rebuilt by PowerChina/Sinohydro with a reconstruction cost of approximately NPR 708 crore. This plant was Nepal’s first privately funded run-of-river hydro project, owned by Bhote Koshi Power Company Pvt. Ltd. It is connected to the Nepal Electricity Authority’s grid via a 132 kV, 25 km single-circuit transmission line to the Lamosanghu substation. The project sells electricity under a Power Purchase Agreement with NEA, with a capped sale of 36 MW.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2001-01-24
  • Installed Capacity : 45MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Chilime Hydropower Plant

Chilime, Rasuwa

The Chilime Hydropower Plant is a peaking run-of-river project located in Rasuwa District, Nepal. Commissioned in August 2003, the plant has an installed capacity of 22.1 MW, generated by two horizontal axis Pelton turbines. The project harnesses the hydropower potential of the Chilime River with a gross head of 351.5 meters and a net head of 337.46 meters, using a design flow of 7.5 m³/s. Featuring an underground powerhouse, the facility includes a surge tank and a pressure shaft/penstock extending over 635 meters. The electricity generated is sold in bulk to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) under a power purchase agreement. Chilime Hydropower Company Limited, which owns the plant, is majority-owned by NEA (51%). The project contributes approximately 150 GWh annually to Nepal’s electricity grid. Its 38 km 66 kV transmission line connects it to the national grid. Located about 133 km from Kathmandu, the plant plays a key role in regional energy supply and development.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2003-08-25
  • Installed Capacity : 22MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River
mai khola

Indrawati-III Hydropower Project

Jyamire, Sindhupalchok

Water used from the Indrawati River, which is snow fed as well as spring fed. The first small hydro power project in Nepal to use foreign funds and Nepali funds, and to close finance with local banks
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2002-10-07
  • Installed Capacity : 7.5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Middle Marsyangdi Hydropower Station

Siundibar, Lamjung

The Middle Marsyangdi Hydropower Station is a peaking run-of-river hydropower plant located in Lamjung District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Commissioned in December 2008, it has a total installed capacity of 70 MW, generated through two vertical shaft Francis turbines. The project utilizes a daily pondage of approximately 5 hours to manage peak electricity demand. Situated on the Marsyangdi River, it features a combined concrete gravity and rock-fill dam with a crest length of 95 meters and a live storage volume of 1.65 million cubic meters. Its underground powerhouse on the right bank of the river operates with a gross head of 110 meters and a net head of 98 meters, designed for a total design flow of 80 m³/s. The project is owned and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and contributes significantly to Nepal’s national power supply system, with an average annual generation of nearly 400 GWh. After restoration work completed in mid-2024, the plant is fully operational at its rated capacity. The cumulative generation of the station has reached 1574.84 GWh till 2011/12 with a maximum generation of 425.34 GWh in the same year exceeding the designed generation of 397.59 GWh and target generation of 399.31 GWh. The station has contributed 10.18 % of the total energy share in INPS.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2008-11-01
  • Installed Capacity : 70MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Peaking Run-of-River
mai khola

Piluwa Khola Small Hydropower Project

Sankhuwasabha

Piluwa Khola Small Hydropower Project is a Run-of-River Hydroelectricity power plant developed by Arun Valley Hydropower Development Co. Ltd. Located in Sankhuwasava district. It has an installed capacity of 3 MW and has a net annual generation amount of 19.547 GWhr.

  • Commercial Operation Date : 2003-09-18
  • Installed Capacity : 3MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Sunkoshi Small Hydropower Project

Sindhupalchok

The Sunkoshi Small Hydropower Project (SSHP) is a small run-of-river with an installed capacity of 2.6MW. It is situated in the Dhuskun VDC of Sindhupalchowk district. Glass Fibre reinforced Plastic Pipe was used as pressure pipe for the first time in the region in this project.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2005-03-24
  • Installed Capacity : 2.6MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Chaku Khola Hydropower Project

Tatopani, Sindhupalchok

  • Commercial Operation Date : 2005-06-15
  • Installed Capacity : 3MW
  • Phase : Live