Kathmandu: The Department of Electricity Development (DoED) is currently conducting feasibility studies for hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 5,089.02 MW. Among the projects under study, storage hydropower projects account for the largest share.
According to the department, 3,642.15 MW of the projects under study are storage-type, 1,306.74 MW are peaking run-of-river (PRoR) projects with pondage, and 140.13 MW are run-of-river (RoR) projects.
The largest project under study is the 1,216 MW Khimti–Those–Shivalaya Hydropower Project, a storage-type scheme located in Gokulganga Rural Municipality of Ramechhap District. Other storage projects being studied include the 650 MW Kaligandaki-2, 640 MW Kaligandaki, 325 MW Bharbung, 273.4 MW Lower Badigad, 194.1 MW Surnayagad, 169.5 MW Chera-1, 119 MW Madi siti, and 55.15 MW Manahari Khola hydropower projects.
Among the peaking run-of-river projects under study are the 681.2 MW Humla Karnali, 211.2 MW Bheri-2, 136.48 MW Upper Karnali ‘B’, 97.43 MW Dadagaun–Khalanga Bheri, 89.35 MW Mugu Karnali, 49.26 MW Ghatganga, and 42 MW Marsyangdi-3 projects.
The run-of-river category includes the 65 MW Yanma Khola, 40.2 MW Tom Dogar, and 34.93 MW Super Budhigandaki hydropower projects, all of which are currently in the study phase.
According to energy sector experts, developers have increasingly shifted their focus toward storage and peaking run-of-river projects in recent years because they can provide a more reliable electricity supply during Nepal’s dry season. However, they note that one of the sector’s biggest challenges remains the failure to move completed feasibility studies into the construction phase on time.
Urjasanchar
