Kathmandu – Hydropower projects across the country whose studies have been completed are moving forward one after another to obtain production licenses. So far, 59 hydropower projects have submitted applications to the Department of Electricity Development seeking permission to generate electricity with a combined capacity of 10,340.46 megawatts.
According to the department’s assessment, the growing investment in the energy sector and the pace of project preparation have generated hope for the expansion of Nepal’s electricity production capacity. The department’s data show that a larger share of these are high-capacity projects.
Since applications are registered only after completing the detailed studies, environmental assessments, and technical preparations required before obtaining a production license, this is taken as a sign that the projects are moving toward the implementation phase. As both time and investment are consumed in progressing from studies to the licensing process, it indicates a clear commitment from both the private and public sectors.
Hydropower projects such as the 1,063-megawatt Upper Arun, 306-megawatt Upper Mugu Karnali, 325-megawatt Upper Bheri, 600-megawatt Dudhkoshi Reservoir, 1,902-megawatt Mugu Karnali, 335-megawatt Hulla Karnali-2, 417-megawatt Nalsyau Gad, 454-megawatt Kimathanka, 480-megawatt Phukot Karnali, 828-megawatt Uttarganga, and 600-megawatt Upper Marsyangdi-2, among others, have submitted applications to the department seeking production licenses.
According to the Department of Electricity Development, among the 59 projects that have completed their studies and applied for production licenses, many have already nearly finalized the required infrastructure and technical design preparations. Once the licensing process is completed, construction will move forward, and the department expects new capacity to be added to the national grid progressively. These projects are believed to have a positive impact on energy security as well as on economic activity, industrialization, and local development.
urjasanchar