Budhigandaki Hydropower Project to Take 9 Years; Timelines for Other Major Energy Projects Announced

The government has set a deadline to complete 18 large hydropower projects by the fiscal year 2092/093 (2035), aiming to generate 24,500 megawatts of electricity. The Budhigandaki reservoir project, with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, is targeted for completion by 2091 (2034). Responsibility for this project has been assigned to the Budhigandaki Hydropower Company. Meanwhile, Nepal Electricity Authority aims to produce 1,000 megawatts of solar power by 2085 (2028-29), and the private sector plans to complete projects totaling 14,000 megawatts by 2092 (2035). The following details were reported from Kathmandu on 13 Baishakh.

The government has already outlined completion schedules for major hydropower projects. According to the “Energy Consumption Growth and Export Strategy, 2083” prepared by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the 18 hydropower projects listed in the strategy are to be completed by 2092/093 (2035). These projects are expected to collectively generate 24,500 megawatts of electricity.

Among them is the nationally significant 1,200-megawatt Budhigandaki reservoir project, set to be completed within the next 9 years by 2091 (2034). The Budhigandaki Hydropower Company has been entrusted with this project, while the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance, Department of Electricity Development, and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) serve as coordinating bodies. Similarly, the 670-megawatt Dudh Koshi reservoir project also has a completion deadline set for 2091 (2034).

This project is wholly owned by the Nepal Electricity Authority and is being developed with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Located at Rabhung Ghat on the border of Khotang and Okhaldhunga districts, the Dudh Koshi project was also included in this fiscal year’s budget speech. The 1,061-megawatt Upper Arun project is also targeted for completion within nine years, by 2091 (2034).

The 828-megawatt Uttar Ganga Hydropower project aims for completion within 10 years. Planned in Baglung, this project has been discussed since 2061 (2004-05). Built by the Nepal Electricity Authority’s subsidiary, Uttar Ganga Hydropower Company, its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was approved in 2080 (2023-24). Following EIA approval, the target was to begin construction within three years and start power generation within seven years. However, the project remains in the study phase so far.

The government has set a completion deadline for this project as well by 2091 (2034). The 490-megawatt Arun-4 hydropower project is scheduled for completion within 8 years, by 2090 (2033). This project is under joint investment by Nepal Electricity Authority and India’s Satyaj Hydropower Corporation, with a bilateral agreement signed by both countries in 2079 (2022-23).

The 417-megawatt Nalgad project is also targeted for completion within nine years, by 2091 (2034). Situated on the Nalgad River in Jajarkot district, its detailed project report was prepared in 2073 (2016-17), with a plan to start construction within two years. However, this project currently remains stalled.

The 439-megawatt Baitadi Karnali Hydropower project is slated for completion within eight years, by 2090 (2033). This project will be developed by the Baitadi Karnali Hydropower Company and aims for completion within this timeframe. Nepal Electricity Authority targets generating over 1,000 megawatts from solar energy. The goal is to implement solar energy plans within the next two years, by 2085 (2028-29). Government-owned NEA and its subsidiaries aim to complete approximately 3,500 megawatts of capacity by 2092 (2035). The private sector also targets completing around 14,000 megawatts of solar and other energy projects within the same timeframe.