KATHMANDU, April 14: Nepal’s electricity generation capacity has reached 4,200 MW, with 532 MW added to the system in 2082 BS ( 2025 – 2026).
Data from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) show that 23 power projects were added during the review year, including both hydropower and solar energy installations.
Of the total addition, hydropower projects contributed 499.17 MW, while solar energy projects accounted for 33 MW. In addition, 103 MW of electricity was generated in coordination with the Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC), although this capacity has not been connected to the national grid.
The total installed capacity of 4,200 MW as of mid-April includes both on-grid and off-grid generation. During the review year, 19 projects with a combined capacity of 440.63 MW entered commercial operation, while four projects with a total capacity of 91.54 MW are currently under trial production.
The 102 MW Madhya Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project in Sindhupalchowk was the largest project commissioned during the period. Other major projects include Upper Rahughat (48.5 MW) in Myagdi, Madame Khola (24 MW) in Kaski, and Thulo Khola (21.3 MW) in Myagdi.
Projects currently in the testing phase include Mewa Khola (50 MW) in Taplejung, Upper Thulo Khola-A (22.5 MW) in Myagdi, Lower Irkhuwa (13.04 MW) in Bhojpur, and Buku Khola (6 MW) in Solukhumbu. These projects are expected to begin commercial operation soon.
In the solar segment, the Dharampur Solar Farm developed by Pashupati Renewables Pvt Ltd has added 25 MW in Kapilvastu, while the Duhabi Solar Project (8 MW) in Sunsari is already in operation.
Most of these projects have been developed with private sector investment. Despite the growth in installed capacity, challenges persist, including delays in transmission line expansion, concerns over grid stability, lack of storage infrastructure, and seasonal imbalances in power supply.
According to the NEA, efforts are underway to promote an energy mix to reduce dependence on hydropower and build a more balanced, reliable, and sustainable power system. As part of this strategy, the authority has been facilitating the expansion of solar energy projects.
Nepal aims to meet 15 percent of its total energy demand through renewable sources, including hydropower and alternative energy. The country has also set a target to generate 15,000 MW of electricity by 2030, with 5–10 percent expected to come from mini and micro-hydropower, solar, wind, and bioenergy projects.
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