Upper Mugu Karnali Hydropower Project Begins Initial Work

Surkhet. The initial work of the Upper Mugu Karnali Hydropower Project, which will be constructed in Mugu's Karmarong and Chhayanath Rara municipalities, has begun.

The semi-reservoir type project has a capacity of 306 megawatts. The production license process for the project, which Elevate Energy is going to construct, has been advanced. The company had obtained the survey license for the project in 2077 BS.

A public notice has been published for the preparation of the project's environmental impact assessment report and project feasibility study report. An average of 1,629 gigawatt-hours of energy will be produced annually from the project. The company's Chief Executive Officer, Pravin Aryal, said that the actual production capacity will be determined after the full feasibility study report is received.

Initial work has been completed at the project site. Similarly, the study of the design and headworks is being done at Hydrolab, the company has informed. Four vertical axis Pelton turbines and generators will be installed in the powerhouse. The generated electricity will be connected to the Phukot Hub Substation through a 55-kilometer-long 400 KV double circuit transmission line. The company aims to start commercial electricity production by August 2033.

The Department of Electricity Development has issued a public notice based on the project's environmental impact assessment and feasibility study report. The total cost of the project will be equivalent to Rs 55.33 billion.