Kathmandu – The 82 MW Lower Solu Hydropower Project, the second-largest project developed by a private company in Nepal, is expected to enter commercial operation within the next two weeks. Developed by Solu Hydro Power Limited in Solukhumbu, the project’s first generating unit was synchronized with the national grid on July 4.
Following the completion of construction and internal system checks, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has initiated performance testing of the entire plant. Testing began on July 7, after the project was officially connected to the grid.
The project is equipped with two Pelton-type turbines, each with a capacity of 41 MW. Following the successful testing of both turbines, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is now carrying out production testing. According to Project Chief Shreedhar Khanal, the plant will officially begin commercial electricity generation once the NEA completes a 15-day testing period.
Construction of the project began in 2016, financed through a loan of Rs 16 billion from several European financial institutions, including the FMO (Dutch entrepreneurial development bank). Although the project was initially scheduled for completion by September 2025, electricity production has commenced two months ahead of schedule.
Water has been collected by constructing a dam in the Solu River in the Salme area, which is on the border of Solududhkunda Municipality-7 and 11. The water has been pumped to a power house in Bhadaure, Tingla, about 6 kilometers away, to generate electricity. A tunnel about 5 kilometers long has been constructed for this. It is estimated that the cost may be higher than the estimated cost due to geographical difficulties and the long tunnel.
Earlier, due to geological conditions, a landslide had damaged the surface valvehouse and penstock, which were in the final stages of construction. As a result, the underground valvehouse and underground horizontal and vertical pressure shafts were completely rebuilt.
The project is designed to produce at least 23 MW of electricity during the winter months, and up to 82 MW during the monsoon season. The generated power is transmitted to the national grid via the Tingla Substation, using a 132 kV double-circuit transmission line. This hydropower plant is one of the projects developed under the 'Super Six' initiative.
Meanwhile, the 86 MW Solu Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project—the largest privately-developed hydropower project in Nepal—is already in operation.
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