New Energy Boost from Dudhkoshi Project

Kathmandu — A 110-megawatt Dudhkoshi Fifth Hydropower Project is set to be developed on the Dudhkoshi River in Solukhumbu district. The project has been proposed across wards 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 of Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality, with the powerhouse to be located about 730 meters upstream from the confluence of Kankukhola and the Dudhkoshi River in ward 4.

Once completed, the project is expected to supply approximately 617.86 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually to the national transmission system. During the construction phase, it will generate employment for around 60 skilled, 150 semi-skilled, and 355 unskilled workers.

The Department of Electricity Development has already approved the project to be built as a semi-reservoir type. The project will be developed by Independent Power Company Nepal. Although it was initially designed as a run-of-river project, it has now been revised into a semi-reservoir model, leading to the preparation of a supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment report. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has invited suggestions for the supplementary assessment.

According to technical details, the project will have a gross head of 237.9 meters and a rated net head of 222.3 meters. About 25.28 hectares of community forest land will be used for infrastructure development, requiring the removal of 2,459 trees of various species including pine, oak, uttis, mauwa, and others.

Electricity generated from the project will be connected to the national grid through the New Khimti Substation located in Devitar, Dolakha. The total estimated cost of the project is around Rs. 19.11 billion, with a per-megawatt cost of approximately Rs. 200 million.

The developer aims to complete the project within five years.