Kathmandu - The Department of Electricity Development has completed feasibility and environmental studies of hydropower projects with a total capacity of 4,422 megawatts over the past 26 years. Since Magh 24, 2056 BS (February 7, 2000), the department has been studying the potential and environmental aspects of various hydropower projects.

The department has informed that it has completed studies of 45 hydropower projects, which include run-of-river, semi-reservoir, and reservoir-based types.

The department was initially established as the Electricity Development Center under the Ministry of Water Resources on Shrawan 1, 2050 BS (July 16, 1993). Later, during the cabinet meeting on Magh 24, 2056 BS, the center was renamed to the Department of Electricity Development. Following the renaming, the department officially began identifying projects and conducting feasibility and environmental assessments.

Among the studied projects, 1303.88 megawatts are based on run-of-river, 607.77 megawatts are semi-reservoir based, and 2514.04 megawatts are reservoir-based projects.

Among the completed studies, the largest project is the 678 megawatt Sunkoshi-2 project in Sindhuli district. Similarly, the 683 megawatt Sunkoshi-3 project in Kavrepalanchok district has also been studied. Both are reservoir-based projects.

Another project is the 401.2 megawatt Arun-4 in Sankhuwasabha district, which is a run-of-river project that has completed its study. Likewise, the 547.25 megawatt Lower Arun project in the same district, which is a semi-reservoir project, has also completed its study.

Among reservoir-based projects, the 289.04 megawatt Budhigandaki multipurpose project in Arkhale has also been studied. Similarly, the 309 megawatt Seti River-6 project has been identified in Doti, and its study has also been completed.

Additionally, the 111 megawatt Dudhkoshi-5 project, based on run-of-river, has also completed its study. This project is located in Solukhumbu district.

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Image Source : Urjasanchar