640MW Kali Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project Moves Forward

Kathmandu. The Kali Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project is set to be constructed with a capacity of 640 megawatts. Initially proposed at 844 megawatts, the project capacity has been revised to 640 megawatts following recent studies.

Currently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project is under preparation. The proposed dam will be located approximately 10 kilometers upstream from the confluence of the Seti and Kali Gandaki rivers, spanning Urleni Khangkot in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-6, Gulmi, and Bihadi Rural Municipality-2, Barrachaur, Parbat. The project will feature a 244-meter-high dam.

The reservoir created by the dam will extend approximately 29 kilometers up to Khaniyaghat. The project has a net head of 183.4 meters, a discharge of 405 cubic meters per second, and an estimated annual energy production of 1,645.65 gigawatt-hours.

The project design includes four steel penstocks and four Francis turbines in the powerhouse, which is proposed to be located in Barrachaur, Bihadi Rural Municipality, Parbat. The project will impact various wards in Jaljala Rural Municipality, Kushma Municipality, Phalebas Municipality, and Bihadi Rural Municipality of Parbat district.

Additionally, the project will affect various wards in Baglung Municipality and Jaimini Municipality of Baglung district, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Gulmi, and Galyang Municipality of Syangja. The feasibility study and environmental assessment are being conducted by the Department of Electricity Development in collaboration with consultants SMEC International and Jade Consult.

The proposed project site is accessible via the Prithvi Highway, the Pokhara-Baglung road section, the Dobilla-Phalebas road, the Kali Gandaki Highway, and the Kali Gandaki Corridor.