Hydropower Projects
Upper Puwa-1 Hydropower Project
Illam
The Upper Puwa‑1 Hydropower Station is a 3 MW run-of-river project located in the Ilam District of Koshi Province, eastern Nepal. Developed and operated by Joshi Hydropower Co. Pvt. Ltd., the project harnesses the Puwa Khola, a tributary of the Mai Khola. The plant has been operational since January 15, 2015 (1 Magh 2071 BS), and was developed under an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.
With a gross head of 125 meters and a design flow of 4.46 m³/s, the project is expected to generate approximately 15–20 GWh of electricity annually. Power is sold to the national grid through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The license for the plant will expire in mid-February 2049 (5 Falgun 2105 BS).
The project contributed to local infrastructure by constructing roads such as the Puwa Bazaar–Majuwa route and provided community support during construction. An IPO launched in 2018 was oversubscribed, raising the paid-up capital to NPR 37.14 crore, reflecting strong investor confidence in the small hydro sector.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2015-01-15
- Installed Capacity : 3MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Sardikhola Hydropower Project
Kaski
The Sardi Khola Hydropower Station is a 4 MW run-of-river hydropower project situated in Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. It harnesses the flow of the Sardi River to generate clean electricity, developed and operated by Mandakini Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. The project was commissioned in December 2017 and includes key infrastructure such as a 26-meter-long gravity diversion dam (weir), two double-jet horizontal Pelton turbines, and a surface powerhouse. Water is conveyed through nearly 3 km of combined headrace tunnel and penstock pipe. The plant connects to the Nepal Electricity Authority's 33 kV grid for power evacuation. The project was designed to handle high flood events with comprehensive sediment handling facilities including gravel traps and settling basins. It plays an important role in regional power supply, contributing approximately 22 GWh annually. The development included detailed feasibility and environmental assessments, ensuring compliance with national standards. The project is privately owned and operated, selling power under a PPA with NEA.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2017-12-09
- Installed Capacity : 4MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Upper Mai C Hydroelectric Project
Illam
The Upper Mai ‘C’ Hydroelectric Project is a 6.1 MW run-of-river cascade plant located on the Mai Khola in Ilam District, Koshi Province, Nepal. Developed by Panchakanya Mai Hydropower Ltd., it is a downstream cascade of the Upper Mai Hydroelectric Project (UMHEP). The plant utilizes a net head of 157.34 m and design flow of 4.62 m³/s, producing an average of 35.52 GWh annually.
Infrastructure includes a 3.62 m high, 11 m long diversion weir at 1,245.21 masl, a 396 m headrace pipe (1.95 m diameter), and a 976 m unlined inverted D-shaped headrace tunnel. The surface powerhouse (29.95 m × 7.32 m × 13.35 m) houses two 3.05 MW horizontal-axis Francis turbines, paired with 3.8 MVA brushless synchronous generators. A 132 kV single-circuit transmission line (16.4 km) evacuates power via a π-connection to the Upper Mai ‘C’ switchyard.
Despite having a generation capacity of 6.1 MW, the PPA was signed for 5.1 MW, with an energy delivery commitment of 30.297 GWh/year. The project follows a conventional IPP model, with local equity provisions.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2017-07-24
- Installed Capacity : 6.1MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Mai Cascade Hydropower Project
Illam
The Mai Cascade Hydropower Project is an 8 MW run-of-river hydropower facility located in Illam District, Eastern Development Region, Nepal. The project utilizes tailwater from the Mai Khola Hydropower Project, capitalizing on the cascading hydrological potential of the Mai River system. With an installed capacity of 8 MW, it generates an average annual energy output of approximately 48.35 GWh.
Infrastructure includes a covered concrete canal for water conveyance, steel penstock pipes, and a surface powerhouse equipped with synchronous three-phase generators and transformers designed for high operational efficiency. The generated power is transmitted through a dedicated transmission line connecting the facility to the regional grid.
Situated with intake at Godak Village Development Committee (VDC) and powerhouse at Chisapani within the same VDC, the project exemplifies efficient use of hydrological cascades to maximize energy output in a sustainable manner. It plays a vital role in supporting local energy needs and contributes to Nepal’s growing renewable energy sector.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2018-04-09
- Installed Capacity : 8MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River, Cascade
Puwa Khola-1 Small Hydropower Plant
Illam
The 4-MW Puwa Khola 1 small hydropower plant on the Puwa Khola River located near the towns of Shanti Danda and Barbote in the Eastern Development Region of Nepal.
The US$11 million project financed in part by Sidhhartha Bank and Citizen Bank, and licensed by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), was developed by Puwa Khola 1 Hydropower Private Ltd.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2017-10-09
- Installed Capacity : 4MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Madkyu Khola Hydropower Project
Kaski
The Madkyu Khola Hydropower Project is a 13 MW run-of-river facility located in Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Developed by Sikles Hydro Power Pvt. Ltd., the project harnesses water from the Madkyu Khola and was commissioned on 30 Magh 2074 BS (February 2018). The scheme includes key components such as a free-flow weir, side intake, desander, headrace canal, penstock, surface powerhouse, and tailrace.
The plant features a high gross head of 1485 meters and a design discharge of 3.71 m³/s, making it a technically significant project. The 660-meter exposed steel penstock feeds water to a surface powerhouse housing two horizontal-axis Pelton turbines. A 26.35 km, 132 kV transmission line connects the plant to NEA’s Lekhnath substation.
Constructed under a phased approach beginning in 2068 BS (2011), the project has a deemed annual generation of approximately 58.95 GWh. The tariff structure varies seasonally and capacity-wise. At commissioning, the total cost stood at NPR 2.17 Arba, with estimated annual revenue of over NPR 30 Crore.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2018-03-23
- Installed Capacity : 13MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Chake Khola Hydroelectric Project
Ramechhap
The Chake Khola Hydroelectric Project is a 2.83 MW run-of-river hydropower plant located in Ramechhap District, Nepal. Developed by Garjang Upatyaka Hydropower Limited, the project utilizes the Chake Khola River with a catchment area of 12.5 km² at the intake and 16.14 km² at the powerhouse. With a gross head of 558.89 meters and design flow of 0.633 m³/s, it employs two horizontal-axis Pelton turbines, each rated at 1.415 MW.
The power generation infrastructure includes a concrete weir (4.83 m high), a Tyrolean intake, settling basin with two bays, a 2,668 m headrace canal, a 1,665 m long penstock, and a surface powerhouse (20 x 15 m). The generated power is transmitted via a 13 km, 33 kV line connecting to Jiri. The project is expected to produce 16.59 GWh annually, with 2.90 GWh in the dry season and 13.69 GWh in the wet season.
The plant is operational and reflects efficient engineering with compact infrastructure, supporting Nepal's energy needs through sustainable, small-scale hydropower.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2017-12-14
- Installed Capacity : 2.83MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River
Dwari Khola Small Hydropower Project
Dailekh
Dwari Khola Small Hydropower Project, developed by Bhugol Energy Development Co. (BEDC) is located at Naumule in Dailekh District in the Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal.
The headworks are 3 km upstream of the confluence of the Dwari Khola and Lohore Khola, with the powerhouse 300 meters downstream from the confluence.
- Commercial Operation Date : 2017-05-06
- Installed Capacity : 3.75MW
- Phase : Live
- Type : Run-of-River