Hydropower Development Nepal

Hydropower Development

Nepal

Water wealth of Nepal is as precious as the oil wealth of the Middle East countries.

In Nepal, Sapta Gandaki alone has a huge hydropower potential of 20,650 MW (economic exploitable potential is 5,270 MW) out of a total estimated potential of 83,290 MW (economically exploitable potential is 42,140 MW). The country has so far been able to generate only around 600 MW of hydropower^[10] out of which the Gandak basin projects contribute more than 44% - 266 MW. The Hydropower projects built are the Trisuli at Nuwakot (21 MW), Devighat at Nuwakot (14 MW), Pokhra (1MW) and Western Gandak HEP, at Nawalparasi (15) MW, - financed by the Govt. of India - , Marsyangdi at Tanahu (69 MW), Kali Gandaki at Syanja (144 MW) and Syange 2 MW. Middle Marsyangdi HE Project (70 MW) at Lamjung is under final stage of construction. Several major projects are on the anvil for implementation in the near future. With Govt. of Nepal now according priority to private-sector participation in a multi-pronged approach, the pace of Hydropower development will get accelerated.

Recently, a major Indian Investor (a renowned firm) of India has entered into a share purchase and joint venture agreement with a Nepalese firm to acquire 80 per cent stake of Nepalese Company (P) for development of the Upper Marsyangdi HEP (250MW). Achieving the economically exploitable potential need would no more be a mirage.^[11]

Reportedly there are several other major projects being pursued by the Govt. of Nepal for private sector participation on IPP basis.