The government has approved generation licences for three additional hydropower projects, further expanding Nepal’s energy portfolio. The Department of Electricity Development, under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, has granted official production permits to the Chumchet Syar Khola, Middle Likhu, and Chhomrong Khola hydropower projects.
The 45 MW Chumchet Syar Khola project, to be developed by Chilime Hydropower Company in the Chumchet area of Gorkha on the Budhigandaki River, is designed as a run-of-the-river plant. It is expected to generate around 348 GWh of electricity annually. Power from the project will be transmitted to the New Budhigandaki substation through a 110-km, 220-kV transmission line.
With the completion of its Rasuwagadhi, Sanjen, and Upper Bhotekoshi projects, the department noted that the Syar Khola project marks another key milestone for Chilime.
The department has also issued licences for the 8.60 MW Middle Likhu Hydropower Project in Sanghutar, Ramechhap, and the 4.89 MW Chhomrong Khola Project in Ghandruk.
The department reports that 263 hydropower projects nationwide have received generation permits, resulting in a combined capacity of 11,097 MW. Of these, 13 projects were granted licences in the current fiscal year alone.
Meanwhile, 193 proposed projects are awaiting survey licences, with 42 new applications submitted this fiscal year. These proposed projects collectively represent an estimated capacity of 9,689 MW.
