Gorkha — Hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 781 megawatts are currently in various stages of development in a single rural municipality in Gorkha district. According to Laxman Gurung, Chairperson of Dharche Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha, nearly 800 MW of hydropower projects are under construction or in the development pipeline at 14 different locations across the municipality.
Chairperson Gurung said that while some projects have already been completed, others are under construction, and several have completed preparatory processes such as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
The largest among them is the 341 MW Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, which is currently under construction. Promoted by Time Energy Hydropower Company, the project will divert water by constructing a dam at Sallery in Chumnubri-3 and generate electricity through a powerhouse located at Tatopani in Dharche-3. Residents of Sallery have already received compensation and are relocating, while other construction works are also progressing.
Similarly, construction of the 103.4 MW Budhigandaki ‘A’ Hydropower Project has begun. Noulо Nepal Hydro Electric Pvt. Ltd. is developing the project, which will involve building a dam at Lusyang in Dharche-3 and channeling water through a four-kilometer tunnel to a powerhouse at Machhakhola. According to engineer Durgesh Magar, the electricity generated will be transmitted through a 12.7-kilometer transmission line and connected to the Budhigandaki ‘B’ project.
Another major project, the 226 MW Budhigandaki ‘B’ Hydropower Project, is also in the construction phase. Developed by Naulо Nepal Hydro Electric Pvt. Ltd., the project will have its dam at Khanibensi in Dharche-7. Water will be diverted through a 9.5-kilometer tunnel to a powerhouse at Soti. Engineer Magar said the run-of-river project will generate electricity by utilizing a gross head of 197.97 meters.
Yaru Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. has obtained approval from the Department of Electricity Development to proceed with the 30.59 MW Yaru Khola Semi-Reservoir Hydropower Project, targeted for completion by 2027/28. The company is currently constructing a Bailey bridge over the Budhigandaki River to access the project site in Dharche-1.
Preparations are also underway for the 28.5 MW Dobhan Khola Hydropower Project. According to founder Bir Bahadur Ghale, Dobhan Khola Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. plans to invest Rs. 5 billion in the project and is also constructing a Bailey bridge over the Budhigandaki River.
In addition, licenses have been issued for the 13 MW Upper Yaru Khola Hydropower Project in Dharche-1 and the 7 MW Runchet Khola Hydropower Project, promoted by Debesh Power Pvt. Ltd.
Detailed field studies are currently underway for the 10 MW Nimrung Khola Hydropower Project, while work has also begun on the 5 MW Upper Nimrung Khola Hydropower Project on the same river.
Water Energy Pvt. Ltd. is developing the 16 MW Machhakhola Hydropower Project in Resekhola, Dharche-5, with an estimated investment of Rs. 3 billion. Construction has already started, including excavation of a tunnel, of which around 70 meters has been completed. Project founder Pushparaj Acharya said the project is expected to be completed within the next 30 months.
On the same river, Bikash Hydro has been operating the 4.5 MW Machhakhola Hydropower Project for the past two years, developed at a cost of Rs. 1.11 billion.
Likewise, Budhigandaki Hydropower Company is preparing to develop the 4.6 MW Super Machhakhola Hydropower Project at Machhakhola in Dharche-5. The company, which had previously commissioned a 4.5 MW project, has already secured a PPA with the Nepal Electricity Authority.
Chairperson Gurung further informed that approvals have also been granted for the construction of the 9 MW Upper Machhakhola Hydropower Project and the 4 MW Lower Machhakhola Hydropower Project.
Meanwhile, two Richet Khola Hydropower Projects, with capacities of 5 MW and 2 MW respectively, have already been completed and are in operation along the border of Kashigaun in Dharche-6 and Arughat Rural Municipality-1. Richet Khola Hydropower Company Pvt. Ltd. began commercial power generation from these projects five years ago.
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