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Hydropower Projects

mai khola

Daraundi A Hydroelectric Project

Gorkha

The Daraundi A Hydropower Station is a 6 MW run-of-river hydropower project located in Gorkha District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Operational since September 2016, it harnesses the flow of the Daraundi River with two horizontal-axis Francis turbines, each rated at approximately 3 MW. The project features a gross head of around 66 meters and a design flow of 11.32 m³/s, generating an estimated annual energy of 35.5 GWh. Key infrastructure includes two trapezoidal coffer dams, a 3,578-meter reinforced concrete headrace canal with siphons, a 300-meter penstock, and a 14 km 33 kV transmission line connecting to the Gorkha substation. Owned and operated by Daraundi Kalika Hydro Pvt Ltd (Kalika Power Company Ltd), the project has contributed to local infrastructure improvements but also raised concerns about fish migration and equitable benefit sharing. It holds a generation license valid until 2104 BS and sells power under a purchase agreement with Nepal Electricity Authority.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2016-12-27
  • Installed Capacity : 6MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Jhyari Khola Small Hydropower Project

Sindhupalchok

  • Commercial Operation Date : 2016-07-16
  • Installed Capacity : 2MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Naugarh Gad Khola Hydropower Project

Darchula

The Naugarh Gad Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-river hydropower project located in the Darchula district of the Far Western Development Region of Nepal. It harnesses the flow of the Naugarh Gad river, with intake at Dhuligada VDC and powerhouse situated at Dethala VDC. The project has an installed capacity of 8.5 MW, utilizing two horizontal Francis turbines rated at 4500 kW each. Key infrastructure includes a 37.05 m long concrete gravity dam weir, a 3,740.4 m long MS pipe headrace, a circular RCC surge tank, and a surface powerhouse building. The project transmits power via a 4.8 km, 33 kV single circuit line to the Balanch 33/132 kV substation. Commissioned under a private developer, the project demonstrates sound technical design with a gross head of 137 m and an annual generation of approximately 53.64 GWh. The financial model includes a term loan of NPR 980 million with an 8.5% interest rate and a Power Purchase Agreement tariff of NPR 4.00/kWh (wet season) and NPR 7.00/kWh (dry season). The project’s simple payback period is 6.3 years, with an Internal Rate of Return of 15.38%.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2015-08-19
  • Installed Capacity : 8.5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Upper Hugdi Hydropower Project

Gulmi

The Upper Hugdi Hydropower Station is a run-of-river hydropower project located in Chandrakot Gaunpalika, Gulmi District, Lumbini Province, Nepal. Operational since March 23, 2015 (2071 Chaitra 09 BS), it utilizes the hydrology of the Hugdi River basin with a catchment area of 120 km² at the intake site. The plant operates with a gross head of approximately 184.5 m and net head ranging from 160 m to 171.17 m, harnessing a design flow of 3.75 m³/s. It has an installed capacity of 5 MW, generated by two Pelton turbines rated at 2.5 MW each. Power generated is evacuated through a transmission line to the Birbash substation in Gulmi District and sold to the Nepal Electricity Authority under a Power Purchase Agreement. The project, developed and operated by Ru Ru Jalbidyut Pariyojana Ltd. (an Independent Power Producer majority-owned by Sahas Hydro Power Company), had an estimated cost of NPR 750–815 million. The license is valid until 2104-04-29 BS, after which the plant will transfer to the government.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2015-03-23
  • Installed Capacity : 5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Midim Khola Hydropower Project

karapu, Lamjung

The Midim Khola Hydropower Project is a 3 MW run-of-river plant developed by Union Hydropower Ltd. in Karaputar, Lamjung District, Gandaki Province. It is the company's first project and commenced commercial operations on 15th Magh, 2074 (January 29, 2018). Located on the Midim River, the project utilizes a design discharge of 7.3 m³/s and a net head of 48.69 m to generate an annual energy output of 17.19 GWh (2.91 GWh in the dry season and 14.28 GWh in the wet season). Key infrastructure includes a 22 m long concrete-infilled boulder weir, twin horizontal-axis Francis turbines (1.5 MW each), a 1.12 km inverted D-shaped headrace tunnel, a 6 m diameter surge tank, and a 120 m penstock. Power is evacuated via an 8.5 km, 33 kV transmission line to the national grid. The project reflects the role of small hydropower in Nepal’s energy mix, particularly in addressing seasonal deficits. It is fully owned and operated by a Nepali private developer under the standard PPA model with NEA, with no known community shareholding or international financing components.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2018-01-29
  • Installed Capacity : 3MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Mai Cascade Hydropower Station

Illam

The Mai Cascade Hydropower Project is a 7 MW run-of-river hydroelectric plant situated in Danabari VDC, Ilam District, Mechi Zone, Eastern Development Region of Nepal. It draws water from the Mai Khola river with a catchment area of approximately 589 km². The project utilizes a canal diversion system with rectangular and trapezoidal channels and has a total headrace canal length of 3,655 meters. The powerhouse, a surface type facility, houses three horizontal shaft Francis turbines, each rated at 2.45 MW, producing a combined installed capacity of 7 MW. The project features a gross head of about 42.65 meters and a net head of 34.59 meters. Power generated is stepped up via synchronous salient pole generators rated at 2917 kVA and transmitted at 33 kV through a switchyard. Access to the site is facilitated by the East-West Highway and a 30 km link road from Birtamode. The infrastructure includes multiple canal crossings, a large forebay, and an RCC open canal tailrace. The facility is equipped with a 24-ton crane for maintenance.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2016-04-01
  • Installed Capacity : 7MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Hewa Khola A Hydropower Project

Panchthar

The Hewa Khola Hydropower Project is a 14.9 MW run-of-river hydropower plant located in Panchthar District, Eastern Development Region, Nepal. The project utilizes water from the Hewa Khola river and features key infrastructure including a low-height boulder-lined weir with concrete cut-off walls, a gated side orifice intake with trash racks, and a nearly 4 km long inverted D-shaped headrace tunnel. It has two Francis turbines, each rated at 7.5 MW, and synchronous generators with step-up transformers feeding power into a 132 kV, 5 km transmission line connected to the Panchthar substation. The plant also provides water for irrigation and drinking purposes through a 3.7 km canal system. The project was completed following a feasibility study finalized in 2011 and has a total project cost of NPR 2.235 billion. Its design flow is 8.12 m³/s, with an annual energy generation estimate of about 84.76 GWh, divided between wet and dry season outputs. The plant's governance includes electronic flow governors and modern overhead crane facilities, indicating an emphasis on operational efficiency and reliability.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2017-04-23
  • Installed Capacity : 14.9MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Sabha Khola Hydropower Project

Sankhuwasabha

The Sabha Khola Hydroelectric Project is a 3.3 MW run-of-river hydropower development situated in Sankhuwasabha District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Harnessing the flow of the Sabha Khola, the project utilizes a design discharge of 17 m³/s and a gross head of 35 meters. The intake is located near the confluence of Dhupu Khola and Sabha Khola at Sandhi Khet, while the powerhouse lies on the right bank of Sabha Khola near Katahare in Dhupu VDC ward no. 2. Water is conveyed via a 651-meter headrace canal and a short 43-meter penstock to a surface powerhouse equipped with three horizontal-axis Francis turbines. The project is estimated to generate 21.78 GWh annually, with 18.8 GWh during the wet season and 2.98 GWh during the dry season. Although transmission infrastructure details remain unspecified, the plant contributes to local electrification and regional hydropower capacity. The project falls under the jurisdiction of the former Eastern Development Region (Koshi Zone), and was likely developed by Dibyashwari Hydro Projects.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2017-09-20
  • Installed Capacity : 3.3MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-RIver
mai khola

Tungun-Thosne Khola Hydropower Project

Illam

The Tungun–Thosne Khola Hydropower Station is a 4.36 MW run-of-river project located in Lalitpur District, Central Development Region, Nepal. Developed by Khani Khola Hydropower Company Ltd., it harnesses the combined flow of Tungun and Thosne Khola tributaries. The project features a gross head of 167.6 meters and a rated design head of 164.7 meters with a design discharge of 3.18 m³/s. Commercial operation began on September 25, 2016 (9 Kartik 2073 BS). The plant comprises two horizontal-shaft Pelton turbines rated at 2,300 kW each, operating at 600 RPM with an efficiency of 89%. The electricity generated is evacuated through a 33 kV transmission line and sold to the Nepal Electricity Authority under a Power Purchase Agreement signed in July 2012. The cascade arrangement with the downstream Khani Khola Hydropower Station (2 MW) allows efficient use of tailwater, with a combined annual generation of approximately 32.27 GWh. The project cost was approximately NPR 584.465 million with a loan-equity ratio of 11%, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 13.76%, and a simple payback period of 6.5 years.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2016-11-24
  • Installed Capacity : 4.36MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Khani Khola Hydropower Project

Lalitpur

The Khani Khola Hydropower Station is a 2 MW run-of-river project located in the Lalitpur District of Bagmati Province, Nepal. Developed by Khani Khola Hydropower Company Ltd., originally an IPP and now a public limited company, the project utilizes the flow of the Khani Khola. It was commissioned on 9 Kartik 2073 BS (October 25, 2016 AD) and operates in cascade with the upstream Tungun–Thosne Hydropower Project (4.36 MW), using its tailwater for further generation. The combined output of the cascade system is approximately 32.27 GWh annually. The project is connected to the national grid via the Malta Substation (~1.5 km away), with road access via a 2.5 km Bhattedanda–Thosne route. The plant was financed through a public-private equity model, with IPOs launched in January and July 2016, involving promoter, community, and public shareholders. The company reported a net profit of NPR 15.9 million in Q1 of FY 2081/82. The generation license is valid until 2104‑11‑02 BS (~February 16, 2048 AD), and electricity is sold to the Nepal Electricity Authority under a Power Purchase Agreement.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2016-11-24
  • Installed Capacity : 2MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Jogmai Khola Small Hydroelectric Project

Illam

The Jogmai Khola Hydropower Station (JKSHEP) is a 7.6 MW run-of-river project located in Ilam District, Province 1, Nepal. Developed and operated by Sanvi Energy Pvt. Ltd., the project utilizes the Jogmai Khola and has been operational since 18 Jestha 2074 BS (May 1, 2017). With a gross head of 220.50 meters and a net rated head of 208.90 meters, the plant is designed to generate 42.875 GWh of electricity annually—6.942 GWh in the dry season and 35.933 GWh in the wet season. The project infrastructure includes a surface powerhouse and a 33 kV, ~10.7 km transmission line connecting to the Godak substation. Sanvi Energy also operates a cascade project (5.2 MW) along the same river. The construction of tunnel works was carried out by Sherpa Hydro Construction between 2014 and 2016. The project was financed by a consortium of Laxmi Bank, Prabhu Bank, Vibor Bank, and Kailash Development Bank, with a total cost of approximately NPR 1.578 billion. The generation license is valid until 28 December 2104 BS, and the PPA with the NEA ensures Rs 4.80/unit (wet season) and Rs 8.40/unit (dry season), with a 3% annual escalation for the first five years.
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2017-05-01
  • Installed Capacity : 7.6MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River
mai khola

Daram khola A Hydroelectric Project

baglung

The Daram Khola-A Hydropower Project is a 2.5 MW run-of-river facility located in Hila and Argal VDCs of Baglung District in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Developed and operated by Sayapatri Hydropower Pvt. Ltd., the project harnesses the Daram Khola (Daram River), featuring a gross head of 91.34 meters and a design discharge of 3.6 m³/s. The plant became commercially operational on 12 Jestha 2073 BS (June 26, 2016). Key infrastructure includes a surface powerhouse on the left bank, a 1,768-meter-long steel penstock with a diameter of 1.4 meters, and a gravity weir with intake, desander, and gravel trap. The station uses two horizontal-shaft Francis turbines, each rated at 1,350 kW, supported by synchronous 3-phase generators. The generated electricity is evacuated via transmission lines connected to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) grid and sold under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The project cost is estimated at NPR 460 million (~US$3.5 million) and is financed through a combination of equity and public investment, including an IPO with 10% local and 20% general public shares. The generation license is valid until mid-2048 (2 Poush 2105 BS).
  • Commercial Operation Date : 2016-06-26
  • Installed Capacity : 2.5MW
  • Phase : Live
  • Type : Run-of-River