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Hydropower Projects

mai khola

Khudi Khola Hydropower Project

Simpani, Lamjung

Khudi hydropower plant is located in Lamjung district in western region of Nepal. The project achieved its commercial operation in December 30, 2006. The power plant has two units of 2 MW each.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2006-12-30
  • Installed Capacity : 4MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River
mai khola

Chameliya Khola Hydropower Project

Shikhar, Darchula

The Chameliya Hydropower Project is a run-of-river hydroelectric facility with a 6-hour daily peaking capability located in Darchula District, Far-Western Nepal. Harnessing the flow of the Chameliya River, it has an installed capacity of 30 MW, generated by two 15 MW vertical shaft Francis turbines. Developed and operated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the project was commissioned in February 2018 after overcoming delays caused by administrative disputes and earthquake-related challenges. Key infrastructure includes a 4.07 km horseshoe-shaped headrace tunnel, a 54 m high concrete gravity diversion dam, semi-underground powerhouse, and extensive transmission lines (132 kV and 33 kV) connecting to regional substations. Funded jointly by the Government of Nepal and the Republic of Korea, the project produces approximately 184 GWh annually, contributing substantially to Nepal’s renewable energy capacity and serving also as a civil engineering training site.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2018-02-10
  • Installed Capacity : 30MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Peaking Run-of-River
mai khola

Mardi Khola Hydropower Project

Kaski

The Mardi Khola Small Hydro Power Project is a run-of-river hydropower plant located in the Kaski District of Gandaki Province, Nepal. Utilizing the flow of the Mardi River, a tributary of the Gandaki River, the project has an installed capacity of 4.8 MW. Developed and operated by Gandaki Hydro Power Development Company Pvt. Ltd, the plant was commissioned in phases, with the first unit starting operation in 2013. Key infrastructure includes a gravity weir diversion dam, RCC closed canal for headrace, and a surface RCC powerhouse housing three generating units. The plant uses mild steel penstock pipes of over 1 km length and transmits power via a 33 kV, 5.5 km transmission line connected to the NEA Modi Substation. The project features a two-part PPA tariff with seasonal differentiation and has generated significant revenue. It is licensed until 2098 BS, after which ownership will transfer to the government. The project contributes to Nepal's renewable energy capacity and regional development in the Pokhara area.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2013-10-24
  • Installed Capacity : 4.8MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Ridi Khola Hydropower Project

Gulmi, Palpa

The Ridi Khola Hydropower Project is a 2.4 MW run-of-river facility located in Palpa District, Lumbini Province, Nepal. The project utilizes the flow of the Ridi Khola River, a tributary of the Kali Gandaki River, with a gross hydraulic head of approximately 94.5 meters and a design discharge of around 3.2 cubic meters per second. Commissioned on October 27, 2009 (2066-07-10 BS), the plant contributes an estimated annual energy generation of 15.73 GWh. The project uniquely integrates combined irrigation and power generation functions, serving local agricultural needs alongside electricity production. The hydropower plant is connected to the national grid through a 33 kV transmission line and operates under a Power Purchase Agreement with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Funded with support from international development partners, including the World Bank, the project reflects Nepal’s efforts in sustainable rural electrification and multipurpose water resource utilization. The generation license remains valid until 2099-02-16 BS.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2009-10-27
  • Installed Capacity : 2.4MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Mai Khola Hydropower Project

The Mai Khola Small Hydropower Station is a 4.5 MW run-of-river project located in Ilam District, Province 1, Nepal, developed and operated by Himal Dolkha Hydropower Company Pvt Ltd. It utilizes the flow of the Mai Khola River, a tributary of the Kankai Mai River, with an intake site at Bhorleni, Barbote and powerhouse near Narayanthan Khola in Ilam Municipality. The project was commissioned around January 2008, with final commercial operation completed in February 2011. The plant features two horizontal-axis Francis turbines, each with a rated capacity of 1.5 MW, operating under a gross head of approximately 42.65 m and a design flow of 7.5 m³/s. Key infrastructure includes a concrete gravity free flow weir, a side intake, a Dufour-type desilting basin, a rectangular RCC headrace canal, and an inverted D-shaped headrace tunnel. The power generated, approximately 18.3 GWh annually, is transmitted via a 2 km, 11 kV line to the Super Mai Hydropower Project switchyard. The facility employs modern synchronous generators and an oil-immersed transformer for voltage step-up. The project cost was approximately NPR 556.3 million (~USD 7 million).
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2008-01-28
  • Installed Capacity : 4.5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River
mai khola

Hewa Khola Small Hydropower Project

Sankhuwasabha

The Hewa Khola Small Hydropower Project is a 4.455 MW run-of-the-river hydropower facility located in Sankhuwasabha District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Developed and operated by Barun Hydropower Development Company Pvt. Ltd., the project has been in commercial operation since 17 Shrawan 2067 BS (~2 August 2010). It draws water from the Hewa Khola and is connected to the national grid via a 33 kV transmission line. The plant was designed for an annual generation of approximately 16.7 GWh, corresponding to a ~42% plant load factor under its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The surface powerhouse houses turbines (likely Francis type) and generators supplied by Chinese manufacturer Qiankang Allonward. The project has faced operational challenges due to underperformance of imported equipment and was damaged by flooding in July 2023. It has since been refurbished, with restoration completed by 21 July 2024. Despite setbacks, it continues to contribute to regional energy supply as a small-scale renewable source.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2010-08-02
  • Installed Capacity : 4.455MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Lower Chaku Khola Hydropower Project

Sindhupalchok

The Lower Chaku Khola Hydropower Station is a 1.8 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project located in Sindhupalchok District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Developed and operated by Laughing Buddha Power Nepal Pvt. Ltd., the project was commissioned on 24 Shrawan 2070 BS (~August 8, 2013). It diverts water from the Lower Chaku Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River, through a gravity-type diversion weir. Although detailed technical parameters such as head, design flow, and turbine specifications are not publicly disclosed, the project is connected to the national grid and operates under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The license for electricity generation is valid until 2100-05-08 BS, after which the facility will be transferred to the Government of Nepal. Strategically located in the Himalayan foothills, the project helps reinforce Nepal’s renewable energy portfolio by supplying clean electricity to the national grid. It also reflects the growing participation of independent power producers in small-scale hydropower development across the country.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2013-08-08
  • Installed Capacity : 1.8MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Sipring Khola Hydroelectric Project

Gauri Shankher, Dolakha

The Sipring Khola Hydropower Station is a 10 MW run-of-the-river project located in Dolakha District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Developed by Synergy Power Development Pvt. Ltd., the project has been in operation since 2069-10-03 BS (January 16, 2013). It utilizes the high-head flow of the Sipring Khola through two 5 MW horizontal-shaft Pelton turbines to generate approximately 32 GWh of electricity annually. The plant features a gross head of 443.7 m and design discharge of 2.61 m³/s. Key infrastructure includes a Tyrolean intake, a 1,478 m inverted D-shaped headrace tunnel with a 52 m audit portal, and a 649.22 m penstock pipeline that transitions from 1.2 m to 0.9 m in diameter. The powerhouse is surface-type, and power is transmitted via a 33 kV, 3-phase transmission system. The control system is PLC-based, including hydraulic spherical inlet valves and governors. The project includes 5% community equity shares and is co-financed by a consortium of Nepali banks. It contributes significantly to Nepal’s renewable energy goals and supplies electricity to the national grid via the Nepal Electricity Authority.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2013-01-16
  • Installed Capacity : 10MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Lower Modi 1 Hydropower Project

Khusma, Parbat

The Lower Modi-1 Hydropower Project is a run-of-river project situated on the Modi Khola river in Parbat District, Nepal. Located in Chuwa, Kushma along the Pokhara-Baglung Highway, the project harnesses a gross head of 50 meters and a net head of 46.25 meters. Construction began in early 2010 and was completed by August 2012. The plant began generating electricity in September 2012 with grid connection, followed by commercial operation starting November 2012. It has an installed capacity of 10 MW, generated by two Francis turbines, contributing approximately 61.01 GWh annually to Nepal’s national power grid. The project features key infrastructure such as a 2,101-meter RCC headrace canal, double-chamber settling basins, steel penstock pipes, and a rectangular tailrace tunnel. Power is evacuated via an 8 km, 132 kV single circuit transmission line to the NEA Dimuwa Substation.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2012-11-24
  • Installed Capacity : 10MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Siuri Small Hydropower Project

Lamjung

The Siuri Khola Hydropower Station is a 5 MW run-of-river project located in Lamjung District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. It utilizes the flow of the Siuri Khola, a tributary of the Marsyangdi River, with a gross head of approximately 458.8 meters and a net head of 452.4 meters. The project has been operational since October 16, 2012 (2069-06-30 BS) and features two horizontal shaft Pelton turbines, each rated at 2.65 MW, generating about 32.10 GWh annually. Infrastructure includes a gravity weir diversion dam, side intake collecting from Liuri and Siuri Khola, a gravel trap, desander basin, an 864-meter headrace tunnel, and an 807-meter penstock pipe with a diameter of 0.95 meters. Power evacuation is via an 8 km, 33 kV single-circuit transmission line connected to the Nyadi switching station. The project is owned by Siuri Nyadi Power Ltd. (formerly Nyadi Group Pvt Ltd) and sells electricity under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The license will expire in 2101 BS, after which the plant will be handed over to the government.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2012-10-16
  • Installed Capacity : 5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Ankhu Khola 1 Hydropower Project

Dhading

Ankhu Khola-1 Hydropower Project is an 7 MW run-of-river power plant located in Dhading District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. The project harnesses the Ankhu River, a tributary of the Trishuli River, with a gross head of approximately 30.84 meters and a net head of 27.84 meters. Commissioned on August 24, 2013 (8 Bhadra 2070 BS), the project features a concrete gravity dam with a crest length of about 41 meters and a pond level of 570.4 meters. Water intake is managed via an orifice intake with five openings, feeding an 85-meter open canal and an 820-meter buried steel headrace pipe of 4 meters diameter. It generates around 46.4 GWh annually, with seasonal generation split between 6.74 GWh in the dry season and 39.67 GWh in the wet season. Power evacuation is done through a 12 km, 33 kV transmission line to the Dhading Besi NEA substation. The project, owned by Ankhu Khola Jalvidut Co. Pvt. Ltd., sells power to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The generation license expires on 25 Shrawn 2101 BS.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2013-08-24
  • Installed Capacity : 7MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of River
mai khola

Baramchi Hydropower Project

Sindhupalchok

The project site is located in Sindhupalchowk District of Central Development Region of Nepal. Baramchi Khola is a tributary of Balephi Khola, which flows into the Sunkosi River. The energy thus generated is evacuated to the NEA substation at Khadichaur, by a 33 kV transmission line, approximately 18 km away from the generating station. The Commercial operation of the upgraded project was commenced on 2067 Kartik. Unique Hydel Company was set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Company to build, own and operate the Baramchi Hydropower Project in Sindhupalchowk District. The company initially developed the Baramchi Hydropower Project with an installed capacity of 980 kW and started its commercial operation on 2063/09/13 The Company later got the necessary approvals and licenses from the Govt. of Nepal and upgraded the project's installed capacity to 4.2 MW. The up gradation work has been a work in progress with various sections of the project being modified to generate the 4.2 MW capacity.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2015-04-13
  • Installed Capacity : 4.2MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River